Macklemore, Marshawn Join Kraken Investor Group
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'Can't Hold' them: Two hometown heroes sign on with the 32nd franchise to bring the community together through access to hockey, music and social justice
Uniting with the Seattle and Pacific Northwest community is a primary intention of the Kraken organization, whether on the ice or away from the rink. That's why the franchise announced Monday Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore and Super Bowl champion Marshawn Lynch as the newest members of the team's investor group, led by David Bonderman, founder and majority owner, and Samantha Holloway, chairperson of the Kraken's executive committee.
Both new investors, whom Seattle and the PNW know and love on a first-name basis, will lead major Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena initiatives to connect with hockey fans, music lovers and community members alike.
"We are fortunate to have an incredibly strong investor group which has guided the franchise over the last four years," said Holloway. "We are now adding two hometown heroes who share our values and desires - to give back to this great city and continue to make hockey a sport for everyone."
Macklemore, who co-founded The Residency, a hip hop and youth development program creating prominent opportunities for aspiring young artists in the region, is a long-time supporter of the community and arts who uses platforms and influencer status to advocate for racial and social justice. He will work with the team and arena to produce music events to serve the community and delight fans.
"The human spirit thrives on community," said Macklemore, who grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood and still resides in the Seattle area. "Hockey and music are ways for people to come together in a society where it is a little too easy to isolate. Bringing 17,000 people into that arena is something energetic and spiritual and magical."
Seahawks legend, fan-favorite and expansion draft guest announcer Lynch is known for making a "Beast Mode" impact on the Seattle community and his hometown Oakland away from the 100-yard fields he traversed with similar drive and intensity. He uses his celebrity for the good, serving underprivileged youth, including his Fam 1st Family Foundation.
"On God, I've been a part of a lot of things," said Lynch, "but this is something I never would have imagined. As a young hyena I always dreamed of playing on a professional team but owning one is something special.
"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. Being a part of the Seattle Kraken is something big for me.
"It gives me another chance to get a ring after helping bring the first NFL one to the city. And if you thought I was goin' somewhere, nah Seattle, I'm here! Stand up!!!!"
As a Kraken investor, Lynch will participate in the team's "Hockey is for Everyone" campaign and work with the team to plan events focused on young people and community activism. It is a natural extension of his 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination.
"I have so much love and appreciation for Seattle, like for real," said Lynch. "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. Joining up with the squad to have some meaningful impact was a no-brainer."
Like Lynch, Macklemore is impressed with the Kraken's commitment to making hockey and skating accessible: "It's all about growing the game and making it available to whoever wants to play, without the roadblock of money [for gear] and opening rinks to introduce the sport."
Macklemore and Lynch have been in discussions with Kraken leadership, including CEO Tod Leiweke, before signing on.
"Both guys love our community and bring legacies of giving back," said Leiweke. "We are thrilled to add them to our investor group. "They have each committed to unique programs using the team and arena as a means of making positive social change. Marshawn knows how to drive a Zamboni and Macklemore has a pretty good wrist shot. More to come!"
Macklemore, who says he's been on ice skates "two or three times, enough not to fall down immediately," took a tour of under-construction Climate Pledge Arena with Leiweke in late 2021.
"I got emotional," said the musical artist, who of course performed in the old arena that is now brand-new under its landmark roof. "Seeing and feeling the potential of a new space and what it holds for the city was overwhelming."
Macklemore, who fell in love with playing golf during the pandemic, started a Bogey Boys line of golf and lifestyle wear (including a pop-up store at University Village). He will collaborate with the team for an annual Bogey Boys and Kraken golf tournament that, sampling from The Masters broadcaster Jim Nance, Macklemore says will be a golf happening "unlike any other."
For his part, Lynch recently lived a dream of most hockey fans. He drove a Zamboni at Kraken Community Iceplex and by all accounts, he found nothing but daylight and clear turns, not unlike any number of his touchdown runs. He sounds ready to help in all ways possible at the rink-and who among us Seattle sports fans is here to doubt him?
"I'm ready to get it going [with the community programs]," said Lynch, who has started his own Beast Mode clothing line. "And you know I'm not afraid to strap on some skates if it comes down to it."
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