Patriots Deatrich Wise Jr Becomes Pro Football Team Owner
New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. plays football by day and is now a part-owner of a professional sports franchise by night.
A press release on Tuesday announced that Wise has purchased a stake in the Beaumont Renegades, an expansion franchise in American Indoor Football (AIF).
“While football wasn’t invented in Texas, for more than a century, it has been part of the state’s cultural DNA. And Beaumont particularly is widely known as the pro football capital of the world,” Wise said in the press release. “I’m excited to join such an incredible group of owners and become a part of the Renegades story. Together, we’re going to bring something very special to the community, while helping our players’ dreams of playing professional football come true.”
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. (91) reacts to getting a sack during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium.
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The AIF is a spring football league that just relaunched for the third time in its history. Currently, the league includes seven teams: the Amarillo Venom, Cedar Rapids River Kings, Columbus Lions, Corpus Christi Tritons, Flint Rivergators, Harrisburg Stampede, and Mississippi Raiders.
However, starting in 2025, the league will expand from seven to nine teams, with Wise's Renegades being one of those franchises.
Wise, the former fourth-round pick out of Arkansas in the 2017 NFL Draft, was a native of Carrollton, Texas, where he played football at Hebron High School before becoming a Razorback and later a member of the Patriots. Wise's former stomping ground is over a four-hour drive from the soon-to-be home of the Renegades, Beaumont.
Wise played in 16 games for the Patriots this past season, totaling 54 tackles, three for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits. The veteran defensive end and one-time Super Bowl champion now becomes the second active NFL player to hold a stake in a professional football team.
