Melinda French Gates Joins Seattle Kraken
Melinda French Gates is set to become a minority stakeholder in the Seattle Kraken, pending the necessary approvals from the National Hockey League (NHL). This partnership places Gates alongside Samantha Holloway, the team’s majority owner and one of the rare women leading an NHL franchise.
Investment and Vision
In an interview with ESPN, French Gates expressed her enthusiasm for investing in Seattle and collaborating with Holloway, whose vision for the Kraken aligns with her own beliefs about the power of sports to unite communities.
“I see this incredible opportunity that sports plays for a community to bring people together,”
she noted.
Having grown up an avid sports fan in Dallas, this investment signifies French Gates’ first ownership role in a major professional sports team. Her decision comes amidst a noteworthy increase in female leadership within the sports industry.
“It’s just time,”
she remarked, emphasizing the growing influence of women in power.
“I’ve walked into tough rooms where being one of the few is challenging. When we can create environments where women are prominent, it becomes much easier for everyone.”
Empowering Communities Through Sports
Throughout her career, Gates has focused on empowering women and families through various forms of philanthropy and advocacy. The Kraken’s One Roof Foundation, which aims to enhance youth access to sports, deeply resonates with her mission. Holloway echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance of expanding hockey’s fanbase and participation to ensure the sport’s evolution in the coming years.
Aspirations Beyond Hockey
Holloway’s aspirations exceed hockey as she is actively crafting a group to pursue a bid for an NBA franchise, hoping to revive the SuperSonics in Seattle.
“Seattle definitely deserves an NBA team, and the fans are prepared for it,”
Holloway remarked, indicating that the Kraken’s ownership group is bolstered by their recent acquisition of a majority stake in Climate Pledge Arena. She mentioned that if they succeed in bringing back the NBA team, fans would owe gratitude to the Kraken’s success.
Focus on Performance
While community initiatives are essential, Holloway made it clear that enhancing the on-ice performance of the Kraken is paramount. The team is currently facing challenges, having made the playoffs only once in their five-season history and undergoing their third coaching change. Following a disappointing finish of 34-37-11 in the Pacific Division, the Kraken have enlisted the help of Sportsology for an independent operational review.
“We’re not happy with where we ended the season, and that’s a serious concern for us,”
she acknowledged.
Optimism for the Future
French Gates, on the other hand, remains optimistic about the Kraken’s future, predicting they could soon be contenders for the Stanley Cup.
“My hopes and dreams are that they create an electric atmosphere because they have won a Stanley Cup,”
she shared, expressing confidence in the organization’s direction under Holloway’s leadership.
“Seattle is a thriving sports market, as we’ve seen with the Mariners and Seahawks; I believe within ten years, if not sooner, we will see that Cup lifted.”
