CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cleveland Heights native and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce now owns a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians franchise.
ESPN was first to report the news on Wednesday, May 27. The Guardians later confirmed it.
Kelce joined his brother Jason on their ‘New Heights’ podcast to discuss the news.
-
Travis Kelce reacts during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Monday, May 24, 2027. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MAY 23: Travis Kelce (R) of the Kansas City Chiefs Singer Taylor Swift (L) attend Game Three between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 04: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 14-12. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) -
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) -
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) on the field after a Christmas Day NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on December 25, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) -
FILE – Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers at the Super Bowl on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) -
FILE – Travis Kelce, left, and Taylor Swift pose after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
“Everyone knows how much love I have for this city, so to have the opportunity to come back and join the Guardians’ ownership group is the coolest thing in the world,” Kelce, 36, is quoted in a news release from the Guardians later that morning. “I’ve always looked for ways to support and uplift my hometown, so I can’t wait to keep sharing the love and the passion I have for sports and this community as we look to bring a World Series title back to the Land.”
Kelce is expected to celebrate at Progressive Field on June 14, when the Guardians take on the Detroit Tigers.
“Travis Kelce knows what it takes to win at the highest levels and he’s exemplified that throughout his playing career and in the way he shows up as a community leader and businessman,” reads a statement from Guardians Chairman and CEO Paul Dolan and team partner David Blitzer. “He cares deeply for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and is committed to supporting our mission of building out a world-class organization that helps uplift the communities we serve. It’s great to welcome Travis home and we know he’ll make a lasting impact here.”
While in high school, Kelce lettered in baseball while playing for the Cleveland Heights Tigers and being coached by his father, Ed Kelce, according to the Guardians. He also played on a collegiate summer team in 2010 while attending the University of Cincinnati.
Kelce, now a three-time Super Bowl champion, told ESPN he grew up watching Cleveland baseball and used to think he’d become a professional baseball player.
“There was nothing like Cleveland baseball in the ’90s,” he said. “That’s just a core memory for me. Kenny Lofton, Carlos Baerga, Jim Thome, Sandy Alomar Jr. — the list goes on, and I admire how they just continue to pour into this city and this game. It’s something that resonates with me, giving back to the places and the people that gave so much to you.”
The Guardians club is valued at about $1.7 billion, reported ESPN, which is up from a reported $1 billion in 2022.
Kelce and his fiancée, pop megastar Taylor Swift, recently appeared at Rocket Arena to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the conference finals.
