Cleveland Browns fan Condoleezza Rice joins new Denver Broncos ownership group

Condoleezza Rice, who served as President George W. Bush’s secretary of state from 2005-2009, has joined the Broncos’ new ownership group. Rob Walton, who bought the Denver Broncos for $ billion last month pending expected approval from NFL owners, announced Rice’s addition Monday morning. Rice joins Mellody Hobson as the second prominent Black woman to join the Broncos’ new ownership group. Rob Walton is the controlling owner with his son-in-law Greg Penner expected to be in charge of the team on a day-to-day basis, along with Walton’s daughter, Carrie Walton-Penner. Hobson, 53, is chairwoman of Starbucks and co-CEO of Ariel Investments. She is also married to Star Wars creator George Lucas. Rice, 67, moved with her family to Denver when she was 12 years old. She graduated from St, Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, then received her bachelor’s degree cum laude and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Denver.