Kelce to make Cedar Point 'more special'

Editor's note: Don Helbig is a Register correspondent representing themeparksbydon.com. SANDUSKY — Kansas City Chiefs tight end and pop-culture favorite Travis Kelce is adding "theme park investor" to his résumé. Kelce recently joined forces with activist investment firm JANA Partners and business heavyweights Glenn Murphy and Dave Habiger in a new stake in Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: FUN). Together the group now owns about 9% of the theme park company. The move was announced by Scott Ostfeld, JANA's managing partner, during the 13D Monitor Active-Passive Investor Summit. According to Ostfeld, JANA plans to work closely with Six Flags' board and executive team to explore ways to boost shareholder value while enhancing the guest experience across its parks. Kelce's new business venture adds to an already diverse portfolio that spans sports, fashion and entertainment. He joins a group of seasoned executives with deep roots in the consumer and tech industries. "To all my fellow theme park and amusement park lovers. I have some exciting news," Kelce posted on Facebook. "Couldn't pass up the opportunity to continue the tradition and make Cedar Point and Six Flags even more special for the next generation of families. Excited to partner with JANA Partners as an investor in Six Flags. So crazy to even imagine this is real, but you gotta love it when life comes full circle." Glenn Murphy brings more than 30 years of leadership experience, having served as CEO of Gap Inc. from 2007 to 2014 and Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. before that. He currently serves as executive chair of Petco Health and Wellness Co. and Wella Beauty. Dave Habiger, a veteran technology and media executive, is vice chairman of J.D. Power where he previously served as CEO from 2018 to 2025. He's known for leading major acquisitions, including Textura Corporation's sale to Oracle and NDS Group's sale to Cisco Systems. Founded in 2001, JANA Partners is known for investing in undervalued public companies and collaborating with management to unlock growth potential. The firm noted that it may continue trading in Six Flags securities, and its ownership stake could change over time.