Condoleezza Rice grew up a big fan of the Cleveland Browns, and was even once linked to their head coaching vacancy.
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That turned out to be fake news, but there’s nothing fake about Rice becoming part-owner of the Denver Broncos. They actually came out and announced it.
The majority owners of the Broncos are now the Walton-Penner family, which purchased the franchise for $4.65 billion last month.
“We’re pleased to welcome former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to our ownership group,” Rob Walton said in a statement. “A highly respected public servant, accomplished academic and corporate leader, Secretary Rice is well known as a passionate and knowledgeable football fan who has worked to make the sport stronger and better.
“She is the daughter of a football coach and served on the inaugural College Football Playoff Committee. She moved to Denver with her family when she was 12 years old and went on to attend the University of Denver for both college and graduate school. Her unique experience and extraordinary judgment will be a great benefit to our group and the Broncos organization.”
Rice was Secretary of State from 2005-09 under former President George W. Bush. She was then selected as one of the 13 members of the inaugural College Football Playoff Committee in 2013, holding that role until the end of 2016.
“It is an honor to be part of this ownership group,” Rice said. “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.”
Rice grew up in the Denver area after moving there at the age of 12, graduating from the University of Denver. She has been a member of the Republican party since 1982.