Did former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice just get one step closer to her dream of being the next NFL Commissioner with the announcement of her becoming part owner of the Denver Broncos?
The former National Security Adviser has joined the ownership group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton that includes his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband, Greg Penner, ESPN reported on Monday. The group purchased the Broncos for $4.65 billion in June.
“We’re pleased to welcome former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to our ownership group,” a statement from Walton read. “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,” the statement added. “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.”
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has joined the Broncos' new ownership group, it was announced Monday. https://t.co/6UCdnsh53G
— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2022
Rice, who previously served as provost of Stanford University, worked in former President George W. Bush’s administration as the Secretary of State from 2005-2009. She was also part of the College Football Playoff Committee from 2013-2016.
Rice has been a longtime football fan of the Cleveland Browns and the NFL. In 2002, Rice made it clear that her dream job would be replacing Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner, The New York Times noted.
“That’s absolutely right,” Rice shared at the time. “Though not immediately and not before Paul Tagliabue is ready to step down. I want to say that for the record.”
“I think it would be a very interesting job because I actually think football, with all due respect to baseball, is a kind of national pastime that brings people together across social lines, across racial lines,” she added. “And I think it’s an important American institution.”
The sale of the Broncos is now under review and awaiting full approval by owners of NFL teams. The decision is expected to take 60-90 days, ESPN noted.