In a significant move for the Seattle Kraken, billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates has become a minority investor in the NHL team, as announced on Monday. This investment aligns with her commitment to civic engagement and the future of the Seattle region, as stated by One Roof Sports and Entertainment, which manages the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena.
French Gates expressed her enthusiasm for sports, stating she looks forward to a deeper involvement with the Seattle sports community after years of supporting the teams from a distance. She appeared in an Instagram video alongside Samantha Holloway, the majority owner of One Roof, who praised French Gates as a remarkable business leader and sports fan.
With a net worth estimated at around $30 billion, French Gates is also seen as a potential buyer for the Seattle Seahawks, should the opportunity arise. One Roof has indicated plans to pursue an NBA team in Seattle if the league expands, potentially positioning French Gates for further investment in local sports.
Notably, her ex-husband, Bill Gates, has shown no interest in owning any professional sports teams. French Gates joins a notable group of investors that includes Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and others such as film producer Jerry Bruckheimer and hip-hop artist Macklemore.