Ryan Kalil and Blake Griffin Form Athlete Ownership Group, Acquire Majority Stake in Mexican American Football Team
SOURCE Osos Monterrey
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Former NFL All-Pro Ryan Kalil and NBA All-Star Blake Griffin have acquired a majority stake in an American football team based in Monterrey, Mexico, that competes in the LFA (Liga de Fútbol Americano). The duo, along with an ownership group of current and former professional athletes, aims to elevate the team and league globally. Under their leadership, the team will forge new partnerships, engage deeply with the community, and focus on advancing player development. Partners at production company Mortal Media, Kalil and Griffin will produce a documentary capturing the team’s transformation and their unique journey as new owners.
Notable names in the ownership group include NFL All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, NFL All-Pro tight end George Kittle, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, former Pro Bowl tight end and media personality Greg Olsen, five-time All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly, NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers, Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Stewart and two-time NFL Coach of the Year Ron Rivera. Additionally, Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Eric Sollenberger, better known as PFT Commenter of the sports podcast Pardon My Take, have joined the company. Additional high-profile investors from sports and entertainment are expected to be announced in the near future.
“Football is not just a game, for many of us, it defines who we are,” Kalil said. “This will not be a passive investment; it is an opportunity to help grow the game internationally alongside lifelong friends who bring unmatched experience and perspective playing at the highest level of professional sports.”
The investment reflects Kalil and Griffin’s confidence in Mexico’s passionate American football fan base, which includes 30 million NFL enthusiasts, making Mexico one of the NFL’s most important international markets. As the LFA continues to grow as Mexico’s premier American football league, the acquisition of the Monterrey team presents a unique opportunity to accelerate its expansion. Kalil and Griffin acquired the team from former owners Fabián Marcos and José Luis Domene, who will remain minority partners and continue to contribute to the management of the franchise.
Alejandro Jaimes Trujillo, LFA Commissioner, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new era for American football in Mexico. On behalf of everyone at the league, I am pleased to welcome Ryan Kalil, Blake Griffin and their business group to the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional de México. Their arrival comes at a crucial time of growth for our league, and we are confident that their involvement will not only strengthen their team, but also boost the entire professional football league in Mexico.”
The first major initiative under the new ownership is a complete rebranding, with the team, formerly Fundidores, adopting the new name “Osos.” “Osos was inspired by the native black bears of Monterrey and the Sierra Madre mountains,” Griffin explained. “The name is simple, memorable and rooted in the identity of the city. It means resilience, strength and grit – qualities that define Monterrey and what we want this team to represent. This marks an exciting new era for the team, the league and its fans.”
Through their production company, Mortal Media, Kalil and Griffin are teaming up with award-winning filmmakers Jason Sterman and Brian McGinn of Supper Club — known for acclaimed projects such as Chef’s Table, 13TH, Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U, and FX’s Emmy-winning The Bear — to produce a documentary chronicling their journey. The project will follow their experiences as new team owners, exploring the challenges of running a soccer club overseas while celebrating the unwavering passion of fans, the resilience of coaches, and the determination of players competing in a league striving for growth and recognition despite modest resources.
About Mortal Media: Mortal Media is founded by former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin and NFL All-Pro Ryan Kalil.
About Osos Monterrey: Osos Monterrey (fka Fundidores de Monterrey,) was founded in 2017 and rebranded with new ownership in 2025. The team has become a powerhouse in the LFA, claiming its first championship in 2022.
