Nelly Purchases Seattle Thoroughbred Team, Moves Franchise to St. Louis

Rapper and St. Louis native Nelly has purchased the Seattle franchise of the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) and relocated the team to St. Louis, renaming it the St. Louis Nellies. The NTL is the first team-based professional horse racing league, featuring ten teams and blending sports with entertainment to create lifestyle experiences for fans. Nelly, an early investor in the league, will also host the Nelly Cup on July 19th at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois, which will include music by Jarobi White of A Tribe Called Quest, a fashion show, and a trophy presentation. The move leverages St. Louis' strong sports culture and the historic Fairmount Park, currently undergoing a $100 million renovation, enhancing the race-day experience. NTL co-founder Randall Lane emphasized the importance of local ownership, highlighting Nelly's personal ties to St. Louis as key to building authentic fan connections. The league is supported by notable athletes and celebrities, aiming to modernize horse racing by creating recurring team rivalries and community engagement.