Cleveland Browns' NFL star Denzel Ward has expanded his influence in Ohio sports by becoming a minority owner of the Major League Baseball team, the Cleveland Guardians. Drafted by the Browns in 2018, Ward has built a successful professional football career, recently signing a two-year, $62.2 million extension that brings his career earnings to over $103 million. His deep ties to Cleveland are well known, and his new venture into baseball ownership marks another significant way he is investing in his hometown.

Ward’s connection to Cleveland extends beyond sports; he honors his late father through the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, which focuses on heart disease education, prevention, and treatment. The foundation supports high school athletes in Greater Cleveland through educational programs and mentorship, illustrating Ward’s commitment to community health and youth development. Now, with his role as an investor in the Guardians, he furthers this commitment, blending his passion for sports with impactful community engagement.

A lifelong fan of the Cleveland Guardians, Ward described joining the team’s ownership group as a “surreal feeling,” highlighting the personal significance of this milestone. The ownership opportunity was offered by the Guardians’ leadership, which includes Chairman and CEO Paul Dolan and Vice Chairman David Blitzer. Both praised Ward’s excellence on and off the field, noting that his community involvement and character make him an ideal partner in shaping the team’s future.

This move makes Ward one of the few active NFL players to hold ownership in a professional sports franchise, signaling a growing trend of athletes leveraging their financial success to build influence beyond their playing careers. His relationship with the Guardians marks a meaningful chapter in Ohio sports, underscoring his intent to continue giving back to local fans and fostering growth in the city that has supported him throughout his professional journey.