Denzel Ward Buys Minority Stake in Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has purchased a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians, the Major League Baseball franchise announced Wednesday. Ward becomes the second NFL player with ties to the Cleveland area to acquire a stake in the Guardians this year, following Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who joined the ownership group in May. Ward, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and native of Northeast Ohio, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to invest in his hometown team. "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. "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 welcomed Ward, calling him a "hometown hero on the field and off it." They added in a joint statement, "His excellence, character and commitment to this community make him a perfect fit for our organization. We are proud to welcome him as a partner in the Guardians future.