Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil Mimic Wrexham in Mexico Football Buy
Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil have a new passion project.
Griffin, a recently retired former NBA star, and Kalil, a former Pro Bowl NFL center, are leading a group that purchased a majority stake in the Monterrey Fundidores, a team in Mexico's pro American football league, Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA). Kalil declined to provide financial details but said the group purchased the club for a seven-figure sum.
More from Sportico.com
Hidden YouTube TV Feature Sees User 'Surge' During NFL Playoffs
Chiefs Fatigue? Fan Poll Finds Much Love but Growing Dislike for KC
Brawny New Nielsen Currency Isn't a Quick Fix for Sports TV
'Players, like fans, can be critical of management and ownership and how they might run a team,' Kalil, who is also a limited partner of NWSL club Angel City FC, said in a video interview. 'I know I've been guilty of it. This was an opportunity for us to put our critical thoughts to the test and see if we know what we're talking about.'
The athlete-led ownership group includes Kalil's former Carolina Panthers teammates Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart and 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Julius Peppers. Former Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold—all former Panthers—are also in the ownership group. Rounding out the cap table are Barstool Sports personalities Dan 'Big Cat' Katz and Eric Sollenberger (PFT Commenter).
This is the latest collaboration between Griffin and Kalil, who are the co-founders of production house Mortal Media, founded in 2016. The Fundidores name will be rebranded to the Osos (Bears) as ownership looks to connect to a broader and more international audience. Additionally, Griffin and Kalil are planning to produce a behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling their ownership journey and the team's first season under new leadership.
'We haven't done a lot of sports-centric projects, especially in the unscripted space,' said Kalil, who wants to highlight the personal stories of the team's international players and coaches. 'We've been looking for something to do that would fit our creative acumen but also something that we're genuinely excited about. All facets of this check all the boxes.'
Griffin and Kalil are taking a page from actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, owners of former fifth-tier Welsh club Wrexham A.F.C. and brains behind the FX award-winning docuseries Welcome to Wrexham. It will be one of the newest projects for Mortal, which produced a White Men Can't Jump reboot (starring rapper Jack Harlow) and Hello Tomorrow! (a sci-fi comedy starring actor Billy Crudup). The production banner has allowed Griffin and Kalil to dive into Hollywood with their pro careers behind them.
Kalil, who says that the Osos documentary won't be released until next year most likely, was intrigued about the opportunity to not only be part of football again but also in a way that's more hands on than other limited ownership offers.
'The entry barrier for football at the highest level in the states is next to impossible unless you're Tom Brady,' Kalil said. 'Even if you did have that kind of money, you're just a passenger in that massive vehicle.'
It's not the first time that former NFL players have been involved with the Osos. Former Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Chad Johnson famously played one game for the team, then known as the Fundidores, in 2017, one year after it was founded. The Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional is only nine years old, but the federation has a long history with American football that dates back to the 1920s. The country's love for American football was popularized at local universities a century ago, which later led to the creation of its college league, ONEFA, founded in 1978.
The NFL, which considers Mexico one of its largest international markets outside of the U.S., played its first preseason game there in 1978 (and first regular season game in 2005). The Osos' new ownership group looks to tap into the growing interest in that market, which will see the return of NFL teams this coming season with another regular season game planned to be hosted at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca for the first time since 2022. Ten NFL teams also currently have marketing rights across Mexico where they can explore fan engagement and commercial opportunities as part of the league's ongoing globalization efforts.
There's no formal partnership right now between the leagues, but Kalil says that could be visited in the future. In the meantime, he's looking to channel his longtime background in pro football with his creative and business acumen.
'I've always said that I've been in the entertainment business on arguably one of the highest rated TV shows of all time in the NFL,' he added. 'This all fits within our [wheelhouse]. We try to look at things that get us excited.'
Best of Sportico.com
Who Is Josh Harris, the Washington Commanders' Owner?
Tennis Prize Money Tracker: Which Player Earned the Most in 2024?
College Football Bowl Schedule and Scores for This Season
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
33 minutes ago
- New York Post
Americans roasted by Europeans over ‘primitive' eating habit: ‘Worse than nails down a chalkboard'
It's a fork-and-knife fight. A viral TikTok video showing an American woman attempting the 'European way' of eating has sparked an international food fight — and critics say her table manners are downright barbaric. TikTok user Amy Gordy @amygordy1 posted a now-viral video of herself trying out the so-called 'continental' dining style — the one where you don't play musical chairs with your utensils. Gordy, channeling her inner Emily Post, did her best to keep the fork in her left hand and the knife in her right — unlike the typical American technique of cutting food, dropping the knife, then switching fork hands like it's a culinary square dance. But her continental makeover quickly went off the rails. Viewers couldn't believe their eyes — or her grip. 'This has spun me out, I've never thought about how I use cutlery,' wrote one confused diner. Another viewer declared, after the clip was reposted on X (formerly Twitter): 'Americans are so primitive for world leaders!!! Hold your knife in your right hand! It's your dinner sword. Watching Americans eat is worse than nails down a blackboard.' The video — which racked up more than 2 million views and thousands of comments — didn't just spark etiquette outrage online. It also triggered a domestic dispute because Gordy's husband is heard saying in the background that his wife holding both utensils while he's talking to her is 'rude.' That had TikTok users clutching their pearls — and their cutlery. 'Him saying you're doing it wrong and that it's rude to hold your cutlery when speaking,' one user wrote in disbelief. Another piled on: 'Am I missing something??!? Eating properly is rude in America??' '… Dude sounds like a piece of work. People talk with utensils in their hands all the time, it's never been rude,' tweeted @thisisvertrying, who also reposted Gordy's original video. The clip clocked over 2 million views and thousands of comments — igniting a full-blown Euro vs. American cutlery clash online. sonyachny – Meanwhile, some critics nitpicked Gordy's fork-and-knife form, pointing out that she'd flipped her hands from the standard European setup. 'It's not the 'European Way,' it THE CORRECT WAY,' one commenter fumed. Others were more forgiving, insisting there's no 'correct' way to eat — as long as you're not launching mashed potatoes across the room. Still, for some Europeans, watching Americans carve up dinner like it's an Olympic event remains a horror show. 'I'm confused, so how do Americans use cutlery?' asked one commenter, apparently still recovering from the cultural whiplash. Knife to meet you, indeed. And while Gordy's utensil swap stirred the pot online, Brits like etiquette expert William Hanson would likely argue it's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dining faux pas. Hanson — dubbed Britain's leading etiquette coach — recently stunned viewers by insisting there's only one proper way to eat a banana: with a knife and fork. 'No, we don't pick it up and peel it like a primate,' he said in a now-viral Instagram tutorial. 'Instead, we use a knife and fork. First, going from one end, cut it off, then cut off the other end, turning your knife on its side. Then score down the skin, peel back and eat like so.' His fruit-fueled formality didn't end there. As previously reported by The Post, in a follow-up, Hanson demonstrated the 'correct' way to eat grapes — using scissors to snip a smaller bunch onto a plate, naturally. At least that one didn't require cutlery.


San Francisco Chronicle
39 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Khalil Mack 'couldn't give up on that dream' of winning with the Chargers
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Khalil Mack mulled retirement early in the offseason. It didn't take long for him to decide to return to the Los Angeles Chargers. He agreed on a contract extension in March, never becoming an unrestricted free agent. 'Got tremendous leadership here, very familiar with guys already here,' he said Wednesday at minicamp. 'It was a no-brainer.' Mack, who turned 34 in February, is in his 12th season in the league and fourth with the Chargers. Despite nine Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year honor, he has never won a playoff game in five appearances. 'You're chasing that feeling of wanting to win,' Mack said. 'I couldn't give up on that dream and that goal for myself and the franchise.' Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said having Mack return 'means everything.' 'Khalil is one of the best ever to do it,' he said. Mack was at the Chargers facility to train in February and March, setting a tone for his teammates. 'The impact that he had on other people to train at his level is pretty incredible,' Minter said. 'For young guys to have him around, it just makes everybody better.' Around the same time Mack re-signed, the Chargers released defensive end Joey Bosa. He later signed with the Buffalo Bills. 'I texted him the other day saying it was weird not having him in the room breaking the silence with his little awkward jokes,' Mack said. Second-year cornerback Tarheeb Still influenced Mack's decision to stay. 'Just the mindset he has. His is the same approach and mindset when I train,' Mack said. 'I want to be a machine, move people easy.' Will this be Mack's final season? 'I'm trying not to speak too fast or too far in the future,' he said. 'My wife says, 'You keep saying you're going to retire. Why you keep doing that?'' ___
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Adam Silver Provides Update on NBA Expansion Amid Seattle Rumors
Adam Silver Provides Update on NBA Expansion Amid Seattle Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared an update on where the league stands in terms of adding new teams. Rumors about a potential expansion have circulated for years now, but it seems as though that possibility is closer than before. Advertisement Silver attended Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals in Oklahoma City before the Thunder clashed with the Indiana Pacers. During a press conference, he told reporters the league was studying the possibility of adding new teams to the competition, naming the upcoming owners meeting in July as a crucial point for these plans. With Las Vegas and Seattle being named as the strongest candidates to receive a franchise, the expectations are high, but nothing will be formalized until that gathering. NBA commissioner Adam Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images During Wednesday's installment of "The Dan Patrick Show," Silver was asked about the expansion plans. He had a different approach this time, saying they are studying every possibility before making a decision. Advertisement "There are cities worth thinking about," Silver said. "It's not obvious to me we should expand. I think it's likely over time, we will, and the reason I say it's not obvious is because, as a global business, adding another U.S. city, arguably, it's unclear how much growth we'll get as result to that, and when we're adding expansion franchises, you're deluding the competition to more teams. Speaking on the cities that could join the league next, he explained what they're looking at. "I do believe certain markets can be added to the NBA, and that's where we're gonna look at. I think part of it is geographic, it's a big country and we're making sure we're represented all around the country, and over time, maybe there's more we can do in Canada or Mexico City. I don't wanna say specific cities today because many have reached out to us to say they're interested." Seattle, which lost the SuperSonics in 2008, is always mentioned as the first city that should get an expansion team. ESPN reported in September that the Thunder could give the Sonics their franchise history back from 1967 to 2007 if they finally got an expansion team in Seattle. Advertisement Las Vegas, which has the Knights in the NHL, the Raiders in the NFL and the Aces in the WNBA, has been considered another frontrunner to get this approval. Two years ago, RedBird Capital founder and managing partner Gerry Cardinale expressed his desire to bring an NBA expansion team to "Sin City" in partnership with none other than LeBron James and Fenway Sports Group. The interest is at an all-time high in these two cities, but this summer appears to be crucial for any decision owners make. Related: Damian Lillard, Gary Payton Continue Push for NBA Expansion to Seattle This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.