Griffey joins Seattle Sounders' ownership group

MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and his family now own a stake of the Seattle Sounders after becoming a part of the MLS club's ownership group, the team announced Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.

The Sounders said Griffey's ownership stake was finalized earlier in 2020 but a formal announcement was delayed due to the pandemic.

"This is a meaningful day for our entire family,'' Griffey said in a statement. "My wife Melissa and I said that we wanted to be a part of something special, not only for ourselves, but for our kids to be proud of, and this is it. We know how much this club means to Sounders fans, and for us, this comes back to the city where it all started for our family.''

Griffey enjoyed a 22-year run in the majors that saw him hit 630 career home runs while playing for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox.

The 50-year-old joins a group that also includes Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke and his wife Tara, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his pop star wife Ciara, and hip-hop star Macklemore.