CLEVELAND, Ohio — David Blitzer, minority owner of the Guardians since June 2022, made an impression at Thursday’s press conference to announce Jose Ramirez’s contract extension and he wasn’t even there.
Blitzer’s name was mentioned several times during the team’s announcement of Ramirez’s franchise-record, seven-year $175 million deal. It was significant because when Blitzer purchased an estimated 25% to 30% of the Guardians previously owned by John Sherman, it came with an option to become majority owner in a reported five-to-six-year window. Sherman left the Guardians to purchase the Kansas City Royals.
Since that time, Blitzer’s name hasn’t drawn much more than a whisper in such team gatherings as Thursday’s.
Guardians’ minority owner David Blitzer.Getty Images
It’s unclear if that means the Guardians are going to change hands in a year or two. What is clear is that Blitzer was seriously engaged in the Ramirez negotiations along with owner Paul Dolan, the team’s front office and Rafa Nieves, Ramirez’s agent.
Blitzer has been involved in other player negotiations, but never to this extent. One possible explanation: Blitzer may eventually inherit this contract if he becomes majority owner.
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, said Ramirez’s deal was complicated. Some of the reasons were evident.
It is the biggest contract in franchise history.Ramirez, 33, still had three years left on the extension he signed in 2022. The deal included $70 million in deferred money, something the low-budget Guardians rarely entertain.Ramirez will be 40 when the contract ends in 2032.
A less obvious complication was the potential ownership transition from Dolan to Blitzer.
“That was something we had to be cognizant of,” said Antonetti. “I think Paul and David were partners in working to get to this end.
“Both of them were very involved, engaged and mutually supportive.”
Blitzer has been involved in Guardians’ contract discussions before, but never to this degree.
Larry Dolan, Paul’s father, purchased the Guardians from Dick Jacobs on Nov. 4, 1999, for an estimated $320 million. Forbes Magazine in March 2025 estimated the franchise is worth $1.4 billion.
In 2013, Paul Dolan was approved as the Guardians’ control person by MLB owners. The Dolan family’s ownership tenure is the longest in team history.
Blitzer is co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment. They own the NFL’s Washington Commanders, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and several other professional sports entities.