Walton-Penner Family Expands Denver Sports Ownership with Rockies Investment

Denver Broncos owners Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner are expanding their influence in the city’s sports landscape after their family entity, Penner Sports Group, became the largest minority owner of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies. The announcement, made on Friday, marks a significant addition to the Penners’ growing portfolio in Denver’s professional sports scene.

The Rockies’ majority owners, Dick Monfort and Charlie Monfort, will retain control of the franchise, with Walker Monfort continuing as team president overseeing day-to-day operations. The Penners expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing their appreciation for the Rockies’ role in the region and their confidence in the franchise’s future.

“Our family’s had such a positive experience with the Broncos, reinforcing our interest in partnering with another team in this dynamic sports market,” the Penners stated through MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. “While our focus remains firmly on the Broncos, we look forward to being supportive, long-term partners of the Rockies and Major League Baseball.”

The acquisition comes nearly three years after the Penners officially purchased the Denver Broncos in August 2022 for a reported $4.65 billion, the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise at the time. Their investment in the Rockies represents a strategic move to strengthen their presence in Denver’s sports community, which already includes the city’s most prominent football team.

The Monfort brothers, who purchased the Rockies in 1992, have maintained ownership through various transitions and partnerships. The addition of Penner Sports Group as the largest minority stakeholder signals continued evolution in the franchise’s ownership structure while maintaining the Monforts’ controlling interest.

This dual ownership position gives the Penners unique influence across Denver’s professional sports landscape, spanning both the NFL and MLB markets. The partnership between the Penners and the Monforts could potentially create synergies between the two franchises, though the Penners have emphasized their primary commitment remains with the Broncos.

The investment also reflects broader trends in sports ownership, where wealthy individuals and family entities increasingly hold stakes in multiple professional teams across different leagues. For Denver, the arrangement ensures continued local ownership of both major franchises while bringing additional resources and expertise to the Rockies organization.

As the Rockies continue their operations under the Monforts’ leadership, the role of Penner Sports Group in the franchise’s future development remains to be seen. Industry observers will likely watch for any potential impacts on team operations, community engagement, or strategic decisions as this new ownership structure takes shape.