Russell Wilson, Ciara join Portland’s MLB investment team
Jun 1, 2018, 9:02 AM
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara Wilson. (AP)
(AP)
Russell and Ciara Wilson were announced as owners/investors in a group working to bring Major League Baseball and a new stadium to Portland.
On Friday morning, the Portland Diamond Project tweeted the group was “excited to welcome” the Seahawks’ starting quarterback and pop-star to their team. The Wilson’s are two of five on the group’s leadership list.
“We believe Portland is the next great Major League Baseball city, and that’s why Ciara and I are excited to announce we are a part of the Portland Diamond Project,” Russell Wilson said in a statement. “It is time for MLB in Portland.”
“Athletics has always been important to me. As a young girl growing up in Atlanta, I was a tomboy who ran track and worked the hot dog stand at Turner Field,” Ciara said. “I am excited about the opportunity to bring the comradery of the game to the city of Portland. I want to see this vision come to life and empower more women owners in major sports franchises.”
According to the group, owning a professional sports franchise has “long been one of Wilson’s dreams.”
In 2016, Wilson became an investor in the Sonics Arena Group seeking to bring the NBA and NHL to Seattle. The group has been in a years-long tug of war with the city over building a new stadium in SoDo.
The group seeking to bring MLB to Portland is led by retired Nike president Craig Cheek. Cheek says he got to know the Wilson’s when Russell signed a Nike endorsement deal.
“I saw firsthand their passion, pursuit of excellence and impact they bring to every endeavor. We know they will bring that same energy, sense of legacy and entrepreneurialism to the Portland Diamond Project,” he said.
Other team members include Mike Barrett, a former Trail Blazers announcer, and former state senator Jason Atkinson.
The announcement made Friday, June 1 is the latest step in bringing MLB to Portland. The Oregonian reports that the investment group made offers on two sites for a stadium and housing, which it wants to provide near the potential ballpark.
