Ward Buys Into Guardians, Deepens Hometown Sports Ties
Ward Buys Into Guardians, Deepens Hometown Sports Ties
Denzel Ward has acquired a minority ownership stake in the Cleveland Guardians, the team announced Wednesday morning. The Browns cornerback becomes the second NFL player with local roots to buy into the franchise this year, following Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who purchased a stake in May.
Ward, a native of Macedonia, Ohio, roughly 25 minutes from Progressive Field, joins Kelce - who grew up in Cleveland Heights - in linking two of the city's marquee athletes to its baseball franchise. "Cleveland is my hometown. 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," Ward said in a statement, according to Cleveland.com. "I couldn't be more grateful to the Dolan family and David Blitzer for the opportunity to continue to pour into this community and give back to the best fans in the world." Guardians chairman and CEO Paul Dolan and vice chairman David Blitzer called Ward "a hometown hero on the field and off it," citing his community work through the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation. Ward is expected to throw out the first pitch before the Guardians' Sept. 15 game against the Chicago White Sox. inter confederation playoffs 2026
Cleveland selected Ward fourth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, and he has spent his entire eight-year career with the Browns. A five-time Pro Bowler, he recorded one interception, nine passes defended and 39 combined tackles across 15 games last season. In July, the Browns signed the 29-year-old to a two-year, $62.2 million extension, with an average annual value of $31.1 million that ranks third among NFL cornerbacks.
The Guardians, at 74-72, hold the third American League wild-card spot, one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays and two games behind the White Sox for the AL Central lead as the club heads into the stretch run.
