Denzel Ward is making a move that ties him even closer to Cleveland.
The Browns cornerback and Northeast Ohio native is now a minority investor in the Guardians, joining fellow NFL star Travis Kelce in the same ownership group, the team announced. The addition comes on the day of the NFL season opener, with Ward following Kelce into the franchise after the Chiefs tight end was added in May.
Ward, 29, has long been a Cleveland kid at heart. He grew up in Macedonia, went to Nordonia High School and played at Ohio State before becoming the Browns’ No. 4 overall pick in 2018.
His latest contract should keep that connection intact for a long time: the two-year, $62 million extension he signed in late July is expected to keep the five-time Pro Bowler with the team for his entire career. Through 100 career games, Ward has 18 interceptions, and he led the NFL with 19 pass breakups in 2024.
“Cleveland is my hometown,” Ward said in a statement. “I’m so blessed to be able to show up for this city on the field and now as a part of the Guardians organization.”
The Guardians plan to honor Ward at Progressive Field on Tuesday.
Ward and Kelce were both in David Blitzer’s suite for the Guardians’ home opener in April, part of a broader push by the minority owner to bring recognizable local stars into the fold. Blitzer’s path to control is already mapped out, with his first option to take over majority ownership coming after the 2027 season, according to multiple industry sources who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk publicly. Paul Dolan has said he intends to remain as a minority owner.
The Guardians’ ownership structure has been changing for years. The Dolan family bought the club for $323 million in November 1999 after a failed bid to purchase the expansion Browns. Four years ago, Paul Dolan reached an agreement with Blitzer that made him a minority owner with a route to eventual control.
Kelce’s introduction to the organization was supposed to get its own celebration in June, but rain washed out the planned event. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs star signed autographs for fans from the players’ parking lot.
Blitzer’s sports portfolio stretches well beyond Cleveland. Through Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment with business partner Josh Harris, he co-owns the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils, a forthcoming WNBA team and a NASCAR outfit. He also holds stakes in several soccer clubs across Europe.
The Guardians’ value was estimated by Forbes at $1.66 billion this spring, which ranked 26th among MLB’s 30 teams. The club also continues to operate with one of the league’s lowest payrolls.
There was another potential path to succession before Blitzer came along. John Sherman, a Kansas City businessman, was originally lined up as Dolan’s possible successor in 2016, but he sold his shares three years later to buy the Royals. Sherman and Dolan then spent years looking for the right partner before settling on Blitzer.
In an interview with The Athletic last summer, Sherman said he “would have made ties (in Cleveland),” but added, “It’s just different - to get to do this in your hometown is a pretty special deal, and it’s a rare opportunity.”
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Guardians Add Another Cleveland Star At The Perfect Time
Denzel Ward is getting involved with another Cleveland institution at a moment when the Guardians are trying to keep their momentum rolling on and off the field. The Browns cornerback, an Ohio native and five-time Pro Bowl selection, has joined the club as a minority investor, adding another hometown name to an ownership group led by Paul Dolan and David Blitzer.
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