BREAKING NEWS: Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti York formally Announces Return of Baltimore Ravens Legend Ray Lewis in 2025 as New Co-Owner

In a stunning and emotional development that is sending shockwaves across the NFL world, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti officially announced on Friday that franchise legend Ray Lewis is returning to the organization—not as a coach or ambassador, but as a co-owner. The Hall of Fame linebacker, whose passion and legacy helped define the franchise’s identity for nearly two decades, will now help shape its future from the front office.

This moment marks a historic shift in the power structure of the organization and a trailblazing move for player empowerment across professional football. For Baltimore, it’s a full-circle homecoming. For the league, it’s a bold statement about legacy, leadership, and the enduring influence of gridiron greatness.

Steve Bisciotti made the announcement during an emotional press conference at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills. With Lewis seated beside him—beaming and at times visibly moved—Bisciotti praised the two-time Super Bowl champion not just for his iconic career, but for his lasting impact on the city of Baltimore and the culture of the Ravens.

“Ray Lewis is more than a football player. He’s the soul of this organization. He’s helped build this franchise with his blood, sweat, tears, and relentless leadership,” Bisciotti said. “Today, it’s only fitting that he helps lead it into a new era.”

While details of the co-ownership stake were not immediately disclosed, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Lewis has acquired a significant minority share in the franchise—one that will include executive-level decision-making input, especially in player development, culture, and community engagement.

The move makes Lewis one of the few Black former NFL players to hold an ownership stake in a team, adding even more historical weight to the announcement.

In his first remarks as co-owner, Lewis delivered an impassioned speech that brought standing applause from the gathered crowd of media, players, and staff.

“This isn’t about titles or power. This is about purpose,” Lewis said. “From the first time I put on a Ravens jersey in 1996, I knew I was part of something greater than myself. Now, I get to serve this organization, this city, and these fans at the highest level, with everything I’ve learned on and off the field.”

Lewis, 49, retired after the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII win in 2013, capping a 17-year career defined by ferocity, leadership, and unmatched intensity. A 13-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest linebackers—and leaders—in league history.

While Lewis has since been involved in various ventures, including motivational speaking, philanthropy, and media work with ESPN and Fox Sports, his re-entry into the NFL landscape as a team owner represents a dramatic return to his roots—and a bold evolution of his legacy.

Steve Bisciotti has long maintained a close relationship with Lewis, even after his retirement. The two reportedly began serious discussions about a potential ownership stake over a year ago. According to Bisciotti, those talks intensified over the past few months as both men aligned on a shared vision for the Ravens’ future.

“We’ve always said the Ravens are more like a family than a business,” Bisciotti said. “Well, this family just got stronger.”

For Lewis, the opportunity to move from franchise cornerstone to franchise caretaker was both humbling and irresistible.

“To have Steve’s trust—to be invited to help lead this team from a new angle—is something I will never take for granted,” Lewis said. “He didn’t have to do this. He wanted to. That speaks volumes.”

The announcement reverberated across the league. From fellow Hall of Famers to current stars and former teammates, reactions poured in on social media and through statements.

Former Ravens safety Ed Reed posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“They don’t make ‘em like Ray. Nobody deserves this more. Let’s gooooo #RavensFlock”

Lamar Jackson, the team’s superstar quarterback, shared on Instagram:

“LEGENDARY. Welcome back, OG. Let’s make more history.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also issued a formal statement:

“Ray Lewis helped elevate the standard of excellence in our league. His leadership as a player was unparalleled, and we are excited to see him bring that same excellence to ownership. This is a powerful and inspiring moment for the NFL.”

While Lewis won’t be involved in daily football operations like general manager Eric DeCosta or head coach John Harbaugh, his role as co-owner will be far more than ceremonial. Team officials confirmed he will:

• Sit in on strategic meetings with front office executives.
• Influence player development programs and leadership training.
• Be a leading voice in culture, team identity, and community outreach.
• Help shape philanthropic efforts through the Ravens Foundation.

Lewis also hinted that he’s eager to serve as a mentor for current players, especially the younger core.

“These young men have so much potential—not just as players, but as men,” Lewis said. “I want to help them become everything they can be—on the field and beyond it.”

In Baltimore, the return of Ray Lewis is more than symbolic—it’s personal. For a city that embraced him not only for his dominant play but for his redemptive story and vocal community activism, his ownership role is a beacon of pride.

Fans gathered outside M&T Bank Stadium on Friday afternoon, many wearing old No. 52 jerseys, chanting his name after hearing the news.

“It feels like we just won another Super Bowl,” said lifelong fan Jordan Garrison. “Ray’s heart beats with this city. Having him back where he belongs, helping lead us—it doesn’t get better than that.”

Local leaders also lauded the move. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement:

“Ray Lewis has been a transformative figure for Baltimore, both on and off the field. His leadership, resilience, and deep connection to our community will make an enormous impact as he steps into this powerful new role.”

The NFL has long faced scrutiny for the lack of diversity in its ownership ranks. As of 2025, most team ownership remains overwhelmingly white and male. Lewis’s inclusion marks a significant stride in addressing that imbalance and provides a new model for other former players with aspirations beyond the sideline.

It also underscores the growing movement to elevate former players—not just as broadcasters or coaches, but as true stakeholders with generational influence.

“Ownership changes the narrative,” said sports sociologist Dr. Karima Dawson. “Ray Lewis isn’t just a symbol of power on the field anymore. He’s now a symbol of institutional power, and that’s historic.”

Lewis’s return comes at a time of transition and promise for Baltimore. With Lamar Jackson entering his prime, a stout defense, and young talent rising through the ranks, the Ravens are positioned to contend for championships.

But beyond wins and losses, the organization is now doubling down on identity, legacy, and continuity. Bringing Lewis into the ownership fold solidifies that direction.

Coach John Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl alongside Lewis, called the announcement “a dream come true.”

“Ray helped us build the culture that defines Ravens football,” Harbaugh said. “Now, he’ll help guide it for generations to come.”

Ray Lewis is not the type to sit quietly in a luxury box. Expect to see him around the facility, working with young players, speaking to the team, and representing the franchise on a national stage.

“I may not be wearing pads anymore,” Lewis said with a smile. “But I’m still ready for battle—just a different kind.”

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Lewis’s passion and influence translate into executive success. If his playing career is any indication, his new chapter as co-owner promises to be just as impactful.

Steve Bisciotti’s decision to bring Ray Lewis into the Ravens’ ownership circle isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a leap toward the future. It’s an acknowledgement that the voices and values of great players deserve a seat at the highest table.