DraftKings today announced the appointment of baseball legend and entrepreneur Cal Ripken Jr. as a special advisor to the board of directors. Ripken will lend strategic insights to the board and Chief Executive Officer on key company initiatives and become a DraftKings equity holder.
Ripken was a shortstop and third baseman for the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles who played for 21 seasons and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility. He’s one of only ten players in history with more than 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. He won a World Series championship, two AL MVP Awards, two AL All-Star Game MVP Awards, and two Gold Gloves, made 19 All-Star Game appearances, and captured eight Silver Slugger Awards. He is best known for his incredible streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, which made him baseball’s all-time “Iron Man.” Since retiring from MLB after the 2001 season, Ripken transitioned into a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and corporate speaker.
“Cal Ripken Jr. embodies the qualities of perseverance and integrity we value so highly at DraftKings,” said Jason Robins, CEO and co-founder of DraftKings. “We are inspired not only by Cal’s historic playing days, but also his current work to cultivate new generations of ballplayers. His unique combination of leadership, longevity and business acumen ensure that we will receive invaluable strategic counsel.”
Among other key business initiatives, Ripken will advise DraftKings on company strategy, product development and marketing activities.
“The game I played for so many years has greatly benefitted from technological advances, and I cannot say enough about DraftKings’ importance as a catalyst, innovator and disruptor to enhance the game for modern baseball fans and others,” said Ripken.
Today, Ripken runs Ripken Baseball, a youth-baseball business that operates four tournament and instruction destinations called “The Ripken Experience.” In addition, he has written several best-selling books and serves as a sports diplomacy envoy for the U.S. Department of State and in that capacity has made goodwill trips to China, Japan, Nicaragua and the Czech Republic.
In 2001, the Ripken family established the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to honor the family’s patriarch. Over the last two decades the foundation has grown nationally and has impacted over 10 million kids in underserved communities.
The foundation has constructed and donated 100 Youth Development Parks across the nation, as well as 65 STEM centers in elementary and middle schools to provide kids with safe places to play and learn. After construction, the Foundation remains involved in these communities through effective programs.
