Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, along with his wife Kathy Surace-Smith, have purchased a stake in the Seattle Mariners, making them only the third new additions to the team’s partnership group since 1992. Mariners chairman and managing partner John Stanton mentioned that the group is focused on finding partners who are passionate about baseball and public service. Stanton, who also sits on the Microsoft board of directors, took over as Mariners CEO in 2016. The Smiths are the first new additions since Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. joined the ownership group in 2021. Brad Smith, who joined Microsoft in 1993, has been in a leadership position at the tech giant for the past nine years, serving on the board of various organizations including the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship program and Princeton University. Kathy Surace-Smith, a senior vice president at Seattle-based biotech company NanoString Technologies, has also held leadership positions at SonoSite and Metawave Communications, while serving on the boards of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Columbia University.
In 2022, the Smiths committed $5 million to a campaign to restore the 104-year-old ASUW Shell House at the University of Washington in Seattle. Brad Smith also led fundraising efforts for The Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering at the UW, which opened in 2019. Both Smiths have been actively involved in supporting various organizations and initiatives in the community. The couple expressed their excitement to join the Mariners ownership group and to support the team’s success both on the field and in serving the community. With their background in technology, law, and biotech, the Smiths bring a diverse set of skills and experience to the table as new stakeholders in the Mariners organization.
The partnership between the Smiths and the Mariners highlights the intersection of sports, technology, and philanthropy. As technology executives and philanthropists, the Smiths are expected to bring their expertise and resources to help the Mariners achieve their goals on and off the field. With Brad Smith’s leadership at Microsoft and Kathy Surace-Smith’s experience in biotech and law, the couple is well-equipped to contribute to the team’s success and community engagement efforts. Their commitment to supporting education, healthcare, and various community initiatives aligns with the Mariners’ values of making a positive impact in the region.
In addition to their new ownership stake in the Mariners, the Smiths’ involvement in various organizations and fundraising efforts demonstrates their dedication to giving back to the community. Through their philanthropic endeavors, the Smiths have shown their commitment to supporting education, healthcare, and research initiatives that benefit the broader community. The Smiths’ investment in the ASUW Shell House restoration project and their support for The Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering reflect their belief in the power of education and technology to drive positive change in society. Their participation in these initiatives further solidifies their reputation as leaders in both the tech industry and the philanthropic community.
As prominent figures in the Seattle business and philanthropic community, the Smiths’ stake in the Mariners ownership group is a testament to their commitment to supporting the region’s sports teams and community organizations. Their partnership with the Mariners not only brings new perspectives and resources to the team but also demonstrates their dedication to promoting sports, education, and public service in the region. The Smiths’ decision to invest in the Mariners reflects their belief in the team’s potential for success and their desire to contribute to the community’s well-being. By joining the ownership group, the Smiths are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Mariners organization and supporting its efforts to make a positive impact in the community.
