Former White House cabinet member Condoleezza Rice joins Denver Broncos ownership

A major name in United States politics has joined the ownership group for the Denver Broncos in former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Rice announced her addition to the Walton-Penner family ownership group on Monday, the group that recently entered an agreement to purchase the Broncos organization for $4.65 billion.

Previously, the sale of the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper for $2.275 billion set the NFL record for largest franchise deal.

I'm pleased to share that I'll be joining the @Broncos organization: pic.twitter.com/dJpmJzjxjw

— Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) July 11, 2022

Condoleezza Rice joins Denver Broncos ownership

“It is an honor to be part of this ownership group,” read Rice’s official statement. “Football has been an integral part of my life since the moment it was introduced to me, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Broncos organization today. I spent much of my younger years in Denver, so to be able to combine my love of the game with my love for this great city and team is an adventure of a lifetime and a great opportunity.”

The Walton-Penner group is led by former Walmart head Rob Walton, who has an estimated net worth of $59.1 billion per Forbes. The 77-year-old son of Walmart founder Sam Walton will become the richest Arkansas alum to own an NFL franchise once the deal is official, surpassing Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.

Rice served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, prior to becoming a big name in football circles when she was selected as a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee. She served on the committee from 2013 through the conclusion of the 2016 college football season.

Rice’s name resurfaced in football discussions at the NFL level in an unlikely fashion in 2018 — as a potential head coaching candidate for the Cleveland Browns. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Browns would entertain the idea of hiring a female head coach and specified that Condoleezza Rice was a potential candidate they would like to interview.

The Browns denied that they had ever considered the idea, but Schefter maintained that the source was general manager John Dorsey himself and that the Browns gave him permission to share the story.

While Rice never was interviewed and publicly stated she had no interest in becoming an NFL coach, it was clear that her love of football kept her close to the league — leading to her currently being a part of NFL ownership.