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| Ken Kendrick | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ken Kendrick |
| Birth date | 1943 |
| Birth place | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman, baseball executive |
| Known for | Owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Spouse | Nancy Kendrick |
Ken Kendrick Kenneth D. Kendrick (born 1943) is an American businessman and sports executive known for leading a consortium that purchased the Arizona Diamondbacks and serving as principal owner and managing general partner. He has extensive ties to the Major League Baseball community, regional Phoenix, Arizona civic institutions, and national banking and investment networks. Kendrick's tenure has involved stadium negotiations, team operations, and philanthropic initiatives across Maricopa County and the broader United States.
Kendrick was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in the Midwest during the post-war era, attending local schools before enrolling at Xavier University (Ohio), where he studied business and finance. He later pursued executive education and professional development tied to Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and industry programs associated with American Bankers Association and regional chambers of commerce.
Kendrick built his career in financial services and investment, beginning with roles at regional banks and expanding into private equity and capital markets. He held executive positions with institutions connected to First Chicago Corporation-era banking networks and participated in mergers and acquisitions influenced by regulatory shifts like the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act. Kendrick co-founded and led investment entities that managed commercial real estate portfolios, venture investments, and minority interests in professional sports franchises, working with partners from New York City finance, Phoenix developers, and Los Angeles-based private equity groups. His business activity intersected with municipal negotiations involving public financing, tax incentives, and stadium development—processes that engaged offices in Arizona State Capitol Complex and local county governments.
In 2004, Kendrick became the principal owner and managing general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks after assembling an ownership group that completed the purchase from previous majority stakeholders. During his stewardship the franchise navigated Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreements, All-Star Game bids, and postseason campaigns, including roster construction influenced by free agency and trade markets anchored in Major League Baseball Players Association dynamics. Kendrick oversaw executive hires and restructurings involving general managers and field managers, and engaged with the MLB Commissioner's Office on league-wide matters such as revenue sharing, luxury tax policy, and arbitration processes. Under his ownership, the team pursued stadium renovations and public-private financing discussions with the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County authorities, while also developing youth programs and affiliate relationships with Minor League Baseball clubs.
Kendrick and his family have supported philanthropic initiatives in Phoenix, Arizona, contributing to healthcare institutions, educational programs, and veteran services. Beneficiaries of their giving include regional hospitals affiliated with Banner Health systems, university initiatives at Arizona State University, and arts organizations in the Valley of the Sun. Kendrick has participated in fundraising for medical research, youth athletics, and community development projects in partnership with United Way chapters and local foundations, as well as sports-related charities connected to Major League Baseball Players Trust programs and youth baseball academies.
Kendrick resides in the Phoenix metropolitan area with his spouse, Nancy, and they have three children. He has received local honors from civic organizations, business groups, and sports associations, appearing in regional rankings by Business Journals and receiving commendations from municipal leaders for civic contributions. Kendrick has been profiled in national sports media covering ownership, franchise finance, and stadium policy debates, and has engaged with Baseball Hall of Fame-related events and alumni gatherings.
Category:1943 births Category:American sports businesspeople Category:Major League Baseball owners Category:People from Cincinnati, Ohio Category:People from Phoenix, Arizona