The Seattle Mariners are a professional Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Seattle, Washington, USA. Competing in the American League West Division, the Mariners have built a rich legacy since their founding in 1977. The team plays its home games at T-Mobile Park, formerly known as Safeco Field, located in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. Known for their loyal fan base and iconic players like Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, and Félix Hernández, the Mariners continue to represent the Pacific Northwest with pride and determination.
Ownership Status of the Seattle Mariners
As of now, the Seattle Mariners are owned by a group (partnership) called The Baseball Club of Seattle, LLLP (or Baseball Club of Seattle, LP) with John W. Stanton acting as the controlling person, chairman, and managing partner.
Nintendo of America once held a majority stake in the Mariners but sold the majority in 2016, retaining about a 10% share. In April 2016, Nintendo announced the sale of its majority stake to a group led by Stanton and Chris Larsen; MLB formally approved the deal in August 2016. Thus, the Mariners are not owned by a single individual but by an ownership group, with Stanton as the CEO and controlling figure.
Major Shareholders / Key Figures
| Person / Entity | Role / Stake / Note |
|---|---|
| John W. Stanton | Lead figure, controlling person, chairman, managing partner of the ownership group |
| Chris Larsen | Another key partner in the group; a retired Microsoft executive who co-led the acquisition of the controlling stake in 2016 |
| Nintendo of America | Previously majority owner; retained ~10% stake after 2016 sale |
About the Owner (John W. Stanton)
John W. Stanton is an American businessman born in 1955. He has been involved in the telecommunications industry—he was a founder or leader in companies such as Western Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless, and has held leadership roles in other ventures. In 2016, when Nintendo sold its majority stake in the Mariners, Stanton (along with Larsen) acquired control and became the designated MLB control person.
Stanton leads daily operations of the team, acts as chairman, and is the public face of the ownership group.
John W. Stanton Net Worth
According to publicly available estimates (e.g. Celebrity Net Worth), John W. Stanton has a net worth of approximately US$ 1.1 billion.
Caveats:
- These estimates are approximate and may not reflect real-time fluctuations in his investments or holdings.
- Part of his wealth is tied to stock holdings, other businesses, and the value of the Mariners franchise itself.
- Some sources (e.g. Benzinga) list his net worth as around US$ 234 million, based on reported shareholdings across various companies.
Thus, while the commonly cited figure is around US$ 1.1 billion, there is variance depending on source and methodology.
Recent Developments / Notes
- The Mariners’ franchise value has been estimated by Forbes and other sources; the team is often cited as worth over US$ 2 billion.
- In media coverage, some commentators have observed that the ownership group (especially Stanton and Larsen) have been cautious in spending on free agents, leading to criticism from fans.
- The ownership group structure means decision-making is collective. Stanton is the “controlling person” for MLB purposes but must coordinate with other members of the partnership.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of the Seattle Mariners?
The Seattle Mariners are owned by a partnership called The Baseball Club of Seattle, LLLP (or LP), with John W. Stanton serving as the controlling person, chairman, and managing partner.
2. Is there a single person who “owns” the Mariners outright?
No. The ownership is shared by multiple partners. Stanton is the designated MLB control person and leads the group, but other partners like Chris Larsen hold significant stakes.
3. Who led the purchase of the controlling stake in 2016?
John W. Stanton and Chris Larsen led the acquisition of the majority stake from Nintendo of America in 2016. MLB approved the sale in August 2016.
4. What is Stanton’s net worth?
Public estimates (e.g. Celebrity Net Worth) put John W. Stanton’s net worth around US$ 1.1 billion. However, alternate sources (e.g. Benzinga) show lower values (≈ US$ 234 million), reflecting differences in valuation methodologies.
5. Does Nintendo still own part of the Mariners?
Yes — after the 2016 sale, Nintendo retained about 10 % of the stake in the Mariners.
Seattle Mariners Official Site
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