Former NFL Player Myles Jack And His Mother Become Majority Owners Of A Pro Hockey Team

Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Myles Jack and his mother, LaSonjia Jack, just became one of the few Black majority owners of an East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) team.

Shortly after retiring from football in August, the 28-year-old is making major money moves as a businessman. The ex-linebacker recently acquired the Allen Americans, the East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the ENHL’s Ottawa Senators, reported The Grio.

Though the Jacks were initially credited by the league as the first Black majority owners, Herb Washington, who is also Black, once owned the Central Hockey League’s Youngstown SteelHounds.

“The Allen Americans are excited to welcome Myles Jack as our new owner and as the first African American majority owner of a professional hockey team,” the franchise stated in a press release.

The Arizona native and his mom will lead the franchise in a new direction for the team’s 15th ECHL season, and the entrepreneur is confident they will be successful.

“From the football field to the business world, I have always brought passion and leadership to my teams,” he said, per the press release. “The opportunity to lead this franchise and serve our great fans is an incredible responsibility. I’m excited to bring a first-class, family-friendly entertainment option to this community alongside our great partners.”

Jack was picked up by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2106 NFL draft. He played for the franchise for five years before being released in March 2022. He wasn’t a free agent for long because he caught the Pittsburgh Steelers’ eyes on the open market and signed with him soon after. Although his time was cut short following a rough first season as a Steeler, he inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles around the beginning of August. He quickly had a change of heart when he decided to leave the sport behind two weeks later.

Excited to now be the owner of the Texas-based team, the athlete took to the Americans’ social media pages to announce his new role.

“What’s up Allen? It’s Myles Jack here, the new owner of the Allen Americans. Very excited to get this thing going. Continue the tradition. Get championship number five. Go Americans,” Jack said in the video he posted.

The team’s fans were happy to have the former UCLA scholar’s support and investment in the team and rooted for him in the comment section.

“Welcome! Excited for a great season,” one person wrote.

“Welcome to the family! My family and I are season ticket holders and we can’t wait!” another fan commented.

His new business venture in sports club ownership is another win and a step in the right direction to help diversify the longstanding executive leadership in hockey. Last year, the sport hit another milestone when the San Jose Sharks announced Mike Grier as the first Black general manager in NHL history.

From the league’s two latest moves, it seems the sport is showing progress by slowly becoming more inclusive as times have changed and its audience continues to expand.