In a surprising move that has Ohio amusement park enthusiasts buzzing, Cleveland Heights native and NFL star Travis Kelce has become part of an activist investor group that now owns 9 percent of Six Flags – the company that merged with Cedar Fair, owner of the iconic Cedar Point.
Some hosts on the Today in Ohio podcast are Cedar Point fans and said Friday they hoped Kelce could keep the magic in the park.
“I love that that’s how you introduce Travis Kelce as Taylor Swift’s fiance,” Laura Johnston noted on the podcast, before explaining the investment. “He grew up with his brother Jason going to Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. They’ve talked about it on their podcast before.” The Kelces grew up in Cleveland Heights.
The timing couldn’t be more critical for the amusement park giant. As Johnston pointed out, Six Flags has experienced “seasons past sales down 8 percent, an attendance drop of 9 percent, revenue down $100 million and $5 billion in debt.” The troubling financial indicators have left many wondering if Cedar Point’s reputation for excellence might be at risk.
Quinn highlighted the stark contrast between the two park brands: “Cedar Point in particular has always been known for almost Disney quality service, that it’s the customer treatment that makes that place special. And Six Flags is not known for that.”
This difference in customer experience philosophy sits at the heart of concerns about the merger. “Six Flags has never done a great job running parks. And now that’s the umbrella for the beloved Cedar Point,” Quinn added.
Kelce’s investment brings more than just financial backing – it brings a personal connection and authentic nostalgia for what Cedar Point has been. Johnston explained that Kelce “wants to bring the same wonderful feelings he has from his childhood” back to the park experience.
“Nostalgia is a really powerful force, and I think it makes people feel good. So they want to love Cedar Point again,” Johnston said.
The challenge will be whether his star power and childhood memories can translate into operational improvements at a company deeply in debt and struggling to maintain its customer base.
The investment also raises intriguing possibilities about celebrity integration. As Johnston speculated on the podcast, while Cedar Point currently features Snoopy as its mascot character, Kelce’s involvement could potentially bring football themes to the park experience or even leverage connections to his famous fiancée, Taylor Swift.
Whether Kelce’s investment will be enough to right the ship remains to be seen, but his involvement has certainly sparked renewed interest in a treasured Ohio institution that has created memories for generations of families.
Listen to the discussion here.
Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
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