Seattle Kraken
2026-06-20
The Seattle Kraken are set to welcome a new stakeholder, Melinda French Gates, ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, following her reported $8 billion divorce settlement. Melinda French Gates, with an estimated net worth of $30 billion, will join the ownership group headed by majority owner and managing partner Samantha Holloway. As a longtime Seattle resident, French Gates expressed her enthusiasm for the investment, stating she's a big believer in the power of sports. The 61-year-old philanthropist will be part of a group that includes prominent investors such as David Wright, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. French Gates isn't the first Microsoft executive to purchase a stake in a professional sports team, as the late co-founder Paul Allen previously owned the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Kraken concluded the season with a 34-37-11 record and will select seventh overall in this month's NHL Draft. And with the new ownership, the team aims to rebuild for future success. But the specifics of French Gates' role in the franchise are still uncertain. So far, it's clear that she'll champion the One Roof Sports and Entertainment foundation, which focuses on increasing youth participation in sports. Holloway shared with ESPN that the organization is aligned on this effort, believing it's essential to grow the fanbase and the number of people playing hockey. The Kraken's home arena, Climate Pledge Arena, was recently acquired by One Roof Sports and Entertainment, solidifying its influence over Seattle's sports and entertainment landscape. French Gates' investment in the Seattle Kraken comes after Bill Gates transferred nearly $8 billion to her foundation as part of their divorce settlement. The team's future looks promising, with a new stakeholder and a strong ownership group. The NHL Draft is just around the corner, and the Kraken will look to make strategic picks to bolster their lineup.