History is being made in the 2024-2025 NFL season.
Diverse Representation shares on Instagram that the current season, which kicks off Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, reportedly has the most Black team minority owners in league history.
The list is filled with various trailblazers across entertainment, sports, and business, which you can find below.
Venus And Serena Williams
Today, the Miami Dolphins are worth $4.6 billion, proving to be a wise investment for the tennis legends.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson, who now has five teams under his portfolio, also snagged ownership in the NFL. He participated in an ownership group led by Josh Harris, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, to bid for the team in May 2023 in a deal reportedly valued at $6.05 billion, the highest for a North American professional sports franchise, as AFROTECH™ noted.
The ownership group’s bid was green-lit, which Johnson says was “an answered prayer.”
“What a great day! To be an NFL owner of the Washington Commanders, this is one of the greatest days of my life,” Johnson wrote on Instagram. “The way the fans received us, the way the employees are fired up and the amazing Redskins alumni…WOW. The players are ready to go out and perform on Sunday! A big big big thank you to Josh Harris for allowing me to be his partner! Thank you to my business partner Eric Holoman, President of MJE Christina Francis, VP of MJE Alexia Henderson, President of SodexoMAGIC Charles Johnson and my longtime business partner and friend Mike Triplett for joining me on such a historic day!”
Lewis Hamilton
With an interest in seeing greater representation in team ownership, Lewis Hamilton, a recurring Formula One world champion, dove head-first into the Denver Broncos ownership group in August 2022.
“Excited to join an incredible group of owners and become a part of the @ Broncos story!! Honoured to work with a world class team and serve as an example of the value of more diverse leadership across all sports,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Walmart heir Rob Walton, who was the controlling owner at the time before transferring the title to son-in-law Greg Penner, commented to 9-News:
“We’re delighted to welcome seven-time Formula One World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group. He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team.”
Mellody Hobson
Lewis joins Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, who was already established as a Denver Broncos co-owner. She had joined the ownership group in June 2022 when its agreement to buy the team was valued at $4.65 billion.
“Welcome to the @Broncos Sir Little Brother!!! So happy to be on this life journey with you,” she wrote on Instagram. “@LewisHamilton and I cannot wait to see everyone in Denver.”
Will Packer
Also topping the list is film producer Will Packer who most recently stepped into team ownership in the NFL, joining Rosalind Brewer, Rashaun Williams, and Dominique Dawes in the Atlanta Falcons’ ownership group in May 2024, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
“Roz, Dominique, Will and Rashaun are impressive leaders who have made an impact in a variety of enterprises, while also building histories of success making a difference in the world around them and positively impacting people in ways that align very well with our Core Values,” Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank commented in a news release shared with AFROTECH™. “Each brings unique talent, experience and perspective to our ownership group so I’m excited to have them on board as limited partners and to tapping their vast expertise in finding ways to continue building the Atlanta Falcons and making an even bigger difference in our community.”
Additional Black Minority Owners
Others listed include Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons); Eric Holoman (Washington Commanders); John Stallworth (Pittsburgh Steelers); and Condoleeza Rice (Denver Broncos).
