Lamar Jackson Uses Horse Racing to Build Up Baltimore

Introduction to Lamar Jackson’s Venture

Lamar Jackson with the winners of the 2025 NTL Kickoff Race.
Courtesy: National Thoroughbred League
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a singular goal both on the football field and as owner of the Maryland Colts horse racing franchise in the National Thoroughbred League.

Goal for Championships

"I just want to win a championship," Jackson told CNBC. "I want to win one in the National Football League. I want to win one in the NTL."
Jackson purchased the Maryland Colts in 2024, basing the franchise in Baltimore where the Colt moniker was previously attached to a Super Bowl-winning National Football League team.

The National Thoroughbred League

The Maryland Colts are part of the 10-franchise NTL, which operates a new team-based concept for horse racing. Teams earn points based on how their horses and jockeys finish in each competition, similar to auto racing. Those points are totaled at the end of the season to determine the winner of the NTL Championship.

Trend of NFL Quarterbacks in Sports Team Ownership

Jackson is part of a growing trend of active and retired NFL quarterbacks looking for equity in sports teams.
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady is a minority owner in the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning is a minority owner in the National Basketball Association’s Memphis Grizzlies.
Current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a stake in the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball, Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer and the Miami Pickleball Club of Major League Pickleball. He also invested in Formula 1’s Alpine auto racing team.

Jackson’s Investment Strategy

Jackson said beyond the Colts, he has no immediate plans to take ownership in other sports teams. Instead, the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is focused on creating an impact.
"When we are looking to invest, it has to be something meaningful. I have to see long-term goals when I’m doing something," Jackson said. "That’s how I move when I’m in the investing space."

Community Involvement

In addition to bringing a horse racing team to the city, Jackson hopes to bring new opportunities to the young people of Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson signs a football for a young fan.
Courtesy: National Thoroughbred League
On Saturday, as the NTL kicked off its 2025 season at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Jackson hosted a community day where he invited young people to learn about horse racing and careers in the industry.
"The reason I got involved in the NTL is I saw the vision. Giving back to the underprivileged, this is a no-brainer for me," he said. "There are a lot of underprivileged kids in Baltimore, and they look at the football players for hope and guidance."

The NTL Kickoff and Jackson’s Background

The Colts placed third in the opening race weekend.
Jackson played college football at the University of Louisville, about a mile away from famed race track Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. But Lamar said he never attended the race while in college.
Still, his love for horses started much younger, as he grew up in Florida.
"I was always intrigued with horses," Jackson said, "I’m from Cypress, a small town in Pompano Beach. There was always this horse track and horse racing going on in our area."

Modernizing Horse Racing

The NTL is just one of many efforts to modernize horse racing. All three tracks that host the Triple Crown of horse racing have planned projects to modernize and attract new fans.
Churchill Downs announced a nearly $1 billion renovation plan in February before suspending those plans due to tariffs. Pimlico, which hosts the Preakness, will begin a $400 million renovation after the race on Saturday. Belmont Park in the suburbs of New York City is in the process of a more than $455 million renovation.

Conclusion

Lamar Jackson’s venture into the National Thoroughbred League is not only about winning championships but also about creating an impact and giving back to the community. His focus on meaningful investments and long-term goals is a testament to his commitment to making a difference.

FAQs

Q: What is the National Thoroughbred League?
A: The National Thoroughbred League is a team-based concept for horse racing where teams earn points based on how their horses and jockeys finish in each competition.
Q: What is Lamar Jackson’s goal in the NTL?
A: Lamar Jackson’s goal is to win a championship in the NTL with his team, the Maryland Colts.
Q: What is Jackson’s investment strategy?
A: Jackson’s investment strategy is to look for meaningful investments with long-term goals.
Q: What is the NTL’s effort to modernize horse racing?
A: The NTL is one of many efforts to modernize horse racing, along with renovation plans at Churchill Downs, Pimlico, and Belmont Park.
Q: How is Jackson involved in the community?
A: Jackson is involved in the community through hosting a community day where young people can learn about horse racing and careers in the industry.