CLEVELAND -- Travis Kelce has prized childhood memories of taking the RTA to downtown Cleveland and making his way to Progressive Field to catch a baseball game. Now, the Cleveland Heights native and diehard Cleveland sports fan is joining the Guardians' organization in an ownership capacity.
Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-time Super Bowl-winning tight end, has joined the Guardians’ ownership group as a minority investor, he and the club announced on Wednesday. Kelce noted on a new episode of his “New Heights” podcast that he will be at Progressive Field on June 14 to commemorate the news, when the Guardians host the Tigers.
“The opportunity came across the desk and I just couldn't say no, man,” Kelce said on the podcast. “I can't thank the Dolan family enough. [Owner and CEO] Paul Dolan, [Guardians vice chairman] David Blitzer. These guys gave me the opportunity to show my Cleveland love and plant my roots in Cleveland forever, no matter what.
“It's an awesome feeling knowing that a kid that grew up on the East Side is now part owner of his favorite baseball team, man.”
Kelce, who’s spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Chiefs and is engaged to pop star Taylor Swift, attended Cleveland Heights High School -- where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball. Kelce noted the cherished memories he has of making his way to the ballpark, buying a program and keeping score while attending games at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario in the 1990s and 2000s.
Kelce and his brother, Jason, recalled on the podcast some of their favorite Cleveland baseball memories, such as the club’s 12-run comeback in a 15-14 win over Seattle on Aug. 5, 2001. Kelce was 11 years old then.
“Baseball in Cleveland is historically one of our favorite pastimes,” Kelce said on the podcast. “It's such an honor to finally be a part of the organization, knowing how many times I've always dreamed about maybe playing for them in the big leagues one day.”
There could be a fun sense of rivalry now between Kelce and his quarterback. Patrick Mahomes is a minority owner of the Royals.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who's a 49ers fan, quipped that he’s still “a little bit bitter” that Kansas City beat San Francisco in a pair of recent Super Bowls (LIV and LVIII). He noted his daughter, Payton, likes some of Swift’s songs and joined the club in celebrating Kelce’s hire.
“It's pretty cool,” Vogt said. “Pretty cool to have Kelce on board.”
Kelce recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cavaliers and Knicks at Rocket Arena, which neighbors Progressive Field. He joked he hopes to redeem himself at the ballpark on June 14, alluding to his first pitch at the Guardians’ home opener in 2023 that skipped past catcher and former ace Shane Bieber. Mahomes jokingly posted that clip while offering congratulations to Kelce on social media in wake of the news.
Dolan and Blitzer celebrated Kelce’s addition to the ownership group in a shared statement.
“Travis Kelce knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and he’s exemplified that throughout his playing career and in the way he shows up as a community leader and businessman,” Dolan and Blitzer’s statement reads. “He cares deeply for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is committed to supporting our mission of building out a world-class organization that helps uplift the communities we serve.
“It’s great to welcome Travis home and we know he’ll make a lasting impact here.”
Kelce called joining the organization “a dream come true” and is honored to come aboard.
“You're going to feel how much love and how much appreciation I have for the city of Cleveland through being a part of this team, man,” Kelce said on the podcast. “It runs deep. It's never left me, and I'm just so honored and so proud to be from Cleveland. This is a way that I can always show that.”