Seahawks QB, Yankees minor leaguer Russell Wilson plots return to MLB … in Portland

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is an investor in a group dedicated to bringing MLB to Portland, Ore. The New York Yankees acquired Wilson, an infielder, from the Texas Rangers in February. The Super Bowl-winning QB spent a week at Yankees spring training, striking out in his only Grapefruit League at-bat.

Watch video

Seattle Seahawks quarterback and former Yankees minor leaguer Russell Wilson is plotting his return to MLB … as an owner.

Wilson was announced Friday as an investor in the Portland Diamond Project, which is dedicated to bringing a major league team to Portland, Ore.

Joining Wilson as an investor is his wife, Ciara.

According to ESPN, this isn’t Wilson’s first attempt at ownership of a professional sports franchise:

Wilson is also a partner in a venture to bring the NBA back to Seattle. If either come to fruition, and Wilson is in line to become an owner, the NFL would ultimately have to approve the transaction, to ensure that any other partners would not be offering him extra incentive that could result in tampering.

Wilson returned to baseball in February, when the Yankees acquired him from the Texas Rangers.

Wilson, a second baseman, appeared at Rangers spring training in 2014 and 2015. He played 93 total games in the Rockies’ organization, hitting just .229 with five home runs, over two seasons. Colorado took him in the fourth round in 2010 out of North Carolina State.

Wilson made an appearance at Yankees spring training in 2018, spending a week in Tampa, Fla.

He even took a Grapefruit League at-bat, going down swinging against the Atlanta Braves.

Here are more details of Wilson’s stake in the Portland Diamond Project:

Portland, OR – June 1, 2018 – Local management group Portland Diamond Project (PDP) today announced Super Bowl Champ Russell Wilson and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Ciara have signed on as owner/investors in PDP’s campaign to bring a Major League Baseball team to Portland, according to PDP managing director and spokesman Mike Barrett.

“We believe Portland is the next great Major League Baseball city, and that’s why Ciara and I are excited to announce we are a part of the Portland Diamond Project,” Russell Wilson said. “It is time for MLB in Portland.”

“Athletics has always been important to me. As a young girl growing up in Atlanta, I was a tomboy who ran track and worked the hot dog stand at Turner Field,” said Ciara. “I am excited about the opportunity to bring the comradery of the game to the city of Portland. I want to see this vision come to life and empower more women owners in major sports franchises.”

The Seattle Seahawks star quarterback, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in his second season, and the platinum recording artist, who has been dominating the stage nearly 15 years, look forward to having a significant role in Portland’s MLB team. Owning a professional sports franchise has long been one of Wilson’s dreams. He is also a partner in an initiative to bring an NBA franchise back to Seattle.

“Having Russell and Ciara sign on as owners and investors in PDP is game-changing, and has elevated our campaign significantly,” PDP founder and president Craig Cheek said. “I got to know Russell and Ciara when we signed Russell to his Nike endorsement deal. I saw firsthand their passion, pursuit of excellence and impact they bring to every endeavor. We know they will bring that same energy, sense of legacy and entrepreneurialism to the Portland Diamond Project.”

Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to their first world championship in Super Bowl XLVIII. He was a multi-sport star in high school and played baseball and football at North Carolina State. Wilson was drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, and then drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2010. Despite an outstanding college football career at NC State and Wisconsin, the 5’11” quarterback was considered too small by many NFL teams. Nevertheless, Wilson quickly became an elite pro quarterback, and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in just his second season.

Ciara is a Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress. Over her thirteen-year career, she has sold over 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including chart-topping hits “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1, 2 Step,” “Body Party,” and “I Bet.” Known for her incredible visuals and stellar dance abilities, Ciara’s videos have been viewed over 1.4 billion times accurately earning her the moniker of “Queen of Dance.”  Ciara continues to captivate with her social media prowess reaching over 50 million fans across her platforms and channels.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.