TACOMA, Wash. – Nick Lachey is the latest celebrity to stake ownership in a team in the Pacific Coast League.
Lachey was introduced Wednesday as a part-owner of the Tacoma Rainiers. Now, he's part of the Schlegel Sports Group based out of Dallas, and a one-third owner of the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
"Sports for me, other than what I do for a living, is truly my passion, and baseball has always been something that is a part of my life," said Lachey, who grew up a Cincinnati Reds' fan.
League President Branch Rickey said Lachey is among notable owners, including Warren Buffet (Omaha), Nolan Ryan (Round Rock), and the Mandalay Entertainment Group (Las Vegas).
It's the second time Lachey has been involved with an ownership group. He was a small player in a group that attempted to buy his hometown Reds last year.
"It gave me the feeling that being involved in an ownership group was something I really wanted to do," Lachey said "When this opportunity came about it felt like the right one."
The primary owner, Kirby Schlegel, hopes the pop singer's involvement will boost interest in the Rainiers.
"The PR jolt he can give is huge," Schlegel said. "There's no better advertising than having a guy like Nick Lachey involved."
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox