Meet Mellody Hobson, the first black female owner in NFL history

Mellody Hobson is set to make history by becoming the first black female owner in NFL history. She’s part of the group headed by Walmart heir Rob Walton to buy the Denver Broncos. The Broncos will reportedly sell for $4.65 billion, which would be the highest amount ever paid for an American sports franchise.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated that he wanted the next ownership group to have minority representation throughout the bidding process for the franchise. Hobson will be one of few black women to have an ownership share in a professional sports franchise.

She was born on April 3, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois and is the youngest of six children. In 1987, she graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory. In 1991, she attended Princeton University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations.

Hobson interned at Ariel Capital Management and T. Rowe Price Associates, both investment firms, while attending college. She took on a job at Ariel, supervising client service and playing a pivotal role in strategic planning upon graduating.

In 1994, Ariel separated from its parent company, the Calvert Group, and assets fell by $100 million. She was elevated to become president of Ariel, and the firm currently handles $10 billion in assets.

The new Broncos co-owner has been married to Star Wars creator George Lucas since 1993 and the couple have one child, a daughter named Everest Hobson Lucas.

The Broncos co-woner with her husband, Star Wars creator George Lucas. Source: CNBC

Mellody Hobson and the NFL

The news has been well received by all quarters in the NFL and she is expected to shine with the Denver Broncos.

In a press release, Walton spoke of her accomplishments and various roles, including serving as chairwoman of the Starbucks corporation and co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments.

“Beyond her role at Ariel, Mellody is an influential leader in corporate and civic organizations across the nation. Mellody currently serves as chair of the board of Starbucks Corporation and is also a director of JPMorgan Chase. We know she will bring her strategic acumen and leadership perspective to our team.”

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson also spoke highly of Hobson, saying that it's a tremendous accomplishment for her to be the first black woman to own an NFL franchise:

"To be able to talk to her, what a tremendous accomplishment and what a gift to be able to do what she's going to be able to do. To be the first Black woman, right, to be able to do this, I mean, this is a big deal. I mean, this is history. And I think that maybe has gone over people's heads a little bit."

It will be great to see the Broncos hit the field when the 2022 season kicks off in just a few months time.