The Seattle Kraken is a publicly unlisted professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL), based in Seattle, Washington, USA. The franchise was awarded by the NHL as the league’s 32nd team and began play in the 2021-22 season.
Ownership Status of Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are not owned by a single individual. The team is owned by a consortium through the entity Seattle Hockey Partners.
Major Shareholders / Ownership Group
Here are some of the known key members of the ownership group:
| Shareholder / Entity | Notes |
|---|---|
| David Bonderman | Founder of the ownership group, passed away in December 2024. |
| Jerry Bruckheimer | Prominent Hollywood producer and part of the founding ownership. |
| Tod Leiweke | President & CEO of the Kraken, also a minority owner. |
| Tim Leiweke | Brother of Tod, involved with sports/business; part of the ownership group. |
| Samantha Holloway | Majority owner and Chair of the Executive Committee. |
| Adrian Hanauer | Minority owner; also majority owner of another Seattle sports team. |
Note: David Bonderman’s stake and role were foundational; his passing in late 2024 may influence the ownership structure going forward. Samantha Holloway is currently recognized as the majority owner of the Seattle Kraken, especially after increasing her influence and taking a leading role in operations following David Bonderman’s declining involvement and passing.
Note: The exact ownership percentages for each individual or entity are not publicly disclosed in detail.
About The Majority Samantha Holloway
Samantha Holloway is an American tech entrepreneur, investor, and sports team owner. She is the daughter of the late David Bonderman and has taken over the leading role in the Kraken’s ownership structure. She serves as the Chair of the Seattle Kraken Executive Committee, guiding business strategy, fan engagement, and long-term organizational growth.
She is known for her business leadership skills, her focus on community-driven growth, and her commitment to modernizing professional sports management.
Samantha Holloway Net Worth
Samantha Holloway’s net worth is not publicly disclosed with precision. However:
- She is the daughter of David Bonderman, whose net worth was estimated at $6.5 billion at the time of his passing.
- As his heir and a major shareholder in the Kraken, her financial position is extremely strong, likely placing her net worth in the multi-billion-dollar range, depending on asset distribution.
- She also built her own wealth through tech startups and investments.
While exact numbers are private, she is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest owners in the NHL.
Seattle Kraken Team & Players
The Seattle Kraken entered the NHL with a strong focus on defensive play, depth scoring, and disciplined coaching. The team quickly became known for its blue-collar playing style and strong team chemistry.
Key Players (Current Notable Names):-
- Matty Beniers – Young franchise center and one of the top prospects in the NHL.
- Jared McCann – Team’s top goal scorer and dynamic forward.
- Oliver Bjorkstrand – Reliable two-way forward.
- Vince Dunn – Star defenseman and key power-play quarterback.
- Philipp Grubauer – Primary goaltender, known for clutch performances.
The Kraken continue to evolve with young talent, strategic trades, and strong coaching to become a consistent playoff contender.
Key Shareholder Highlights
- Samantha Holloway: She brings a tech-startup background and now leads much of the business strategy for the Kraken.
- Tod Leiweke: As President & CEO, he manages the team’s operations and has a stake in the team.
- Adrian Hanauer: Among minority owners, representing the local Seattle business community.
- The ownership group is deliberately broad, including high-profile minority investors, to ensure stability and growth of the franchise.
Recent Developments in Ownership
- On December 11, 2024, David Bonderman died at age 82. His passing marks a transition point in the Kraken’s ownership history.
- While no large public share-reallocation has been broadly disclosed since, this change may lead to updates in the ownership group.
- The team continues to emphasise local business and community involvement, as evidenced by newer minority ownership additions.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Seattle Kraken?
There is no single owner. The Seattle Kraken are owned by a group of investors under the entity Seattle Hockey Partners. Key names include David Bonderman (founding partner), Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod & Tim Leiweke, Samantha Holloway and Adrian Hanauer.
2. Is the Seattle Kraken publicly traded or privately owned?
The team is privately held (not publicly traded) and ownership is shared among multiple investors.
3. Who founded the Seattle Kraken?
The ownership group was led by David Bonderman and Jerry Bruckheimer, among others. The expansion franchise was approved on December 4, 2017.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes — the passing of David Bonderman in December 2024 marks a recent change in the ownership landscape. Beyond that, there have been no major public disclosures of share changes.