Breaking News Woman accused of attempting to stab officer outside CT Capitol building until knife broke Things to Do Entertainment Melinda French Gates, ex-wife of Bill Gates, to join Seattle Kraken as minority investor “As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in a statement. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit FILE – Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, poses for photographers as she arrives for a meeting after a meeting on the sideline of the gender equality conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, July 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) By The Associated Press PUBLISHED: June 2, 2026 at 1:40 PM EDT | UPDATED: June 2, 2026 at 1:48 PM EDT Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By ANDREW DESTIN, AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — Melinda French Gates, a billionaire philanthropist and businesswoman, will join the Seattle Kraken as a minority investor, pending NHL approval. French Gates, 61, is the ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. She and her $30 billion net worth, according to Forbes, join an ownership group headlined by majority owner and managing partner Samantha Holloway, as well as investors David Wright, Andy Jassy and longtime Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in a statement. “I’m a big believer in the power of sports, and after many years of cheering on Seattle from the sidelines, I’m excited to have an even deeper connection to the Seattle sports community.” FILE – The logo of the Seattle Kraken is displayed on a player during an NHL hockey game in Seattle on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy, File) French Gates has never previously had an ownership stake in a major professional sports franchise. She will do so at a time when the Kraken ownership group is positioning itself to own an NBA franchise should the NBA return to the Emerald City for the first time since the SuperSonics were relocated to Oklahoma City nearly 20 years ago. In March, the Kraken ownership group announced the creation of One Roof Sports and Entertainment, which serves as the umbrella brand of the organization to “oversee a growing portfolio of properties and fuel new opportunities.” At the time, Holloway announced that One Roof would pursue an NBA team in Seattle, should the league move forward with expansion. Related Articles The Oscar statuette is Hollywood’s ultimate recognition, full of lore, mysteries and rules CT doll said to be inhabited by an ‘inhuman spirit’ brought to new site. You can see her and she’s not alone. New complex off CT highway plans to take gas prices to new lows. And food and ice cream to new quality highs. ‘Disney Worldbuilders’: Translating films into theme parks Colorado’s Front Range shaped Peter Heller’s novel ‘The Dog Stars.’ Now it’s a Ridley Scott film. Holloway also announced in March that the group had entered an agreement to purchase additional equity in Climate Pledge Arena from Oak View Group, and would make the organization the majority owner of the building. OVG has retained a minority stake. French Gates, who grew up in Dallas and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics, as well as an MBA from Duke, currently heads Pivotal, a group of organizations she founded to accelerate the pace of social progress for women and young people in the United States and around the world. French Gates previously founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropy. “I am excited to welcome Melinda to our ownership group,” Holloway said in a statement. “Melinda is an impressive business leader, philanthropist and importantly, a Seattle sports fan. We share many of the same values, including a deep commitment to Seattle and a belief in building organizations that create lasting impact.” AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Most Popular Most Popular CT ‘favorite’ seafood restaurant closes after 18 years. Owners say it ‘may not be goodbye forever’ CT 'favorite' seafood restaurant closes after 18 years. Owners say it 'may not be goodbye forever' New complex off CT highway plans to take gas prices to new lows. 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