Matthew Bores

Mdb5896@psu.edu

Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and Hip-Hop star Macklemore are now minority investors in the NHL’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken. Both participated in the expansion draft for the team earlier last year and now have decided to become part of the team itself. 

Macklemore is from the Seattle area and has a connection to the place, including efforts to support the unhoused population of Seattle. Marshawn Lynch played the majority of his NFL career with another one of Seattle’s major teams, the Seattle Seahawks. Spending 5 years with the team and then eventually returning to officially retire after a short stint with the Oakland Raiders, Lynch became deeply rooted in the Seattle area. “The thing is, I know Seattle looks out for and supports me too. It’s only right I continue to plant seeds and give back to the city. 

The Kraken have been committed to connecting with diverse communities in Seattle since Day One.” Lynch said as per The Washington Post. Seattle Kraken chief executive Tod Leiweke told the Associated Press that, “I’d say that perhaps we didn’t need just two more investors. But these are investors who uniquely want to help us in the community and are excited about what we’re doing…”Both of the famous individuals having such deep roots in the Seattle community made it a huge point to have them on as minority investors in the Kraken. 

As the announcement came out, so did a video of Lynch driving a Zamboni around the Seattle Kraken’s Community Iceplex, and he took the opportunity to do some doughnuts in the big ice cleaning truck. Marshawn had this to say about his being a part of the NHL team, “As I look back on some of my accomplishments — I retired before I was 30 and now being an owner of a professional club at the age of 35 — I’m gonna continue to count my blessings,” said Lynch. “Being a part of the Seattle Kraken is something big for me. … Joining up with the squad to have some meaningful impact was a no-brainer.”