St. Louis Native & Multi Grammy-Winning Artist Nelly Takes Larger Ownership Stake, Moves National Thoroughbred League Team to St. Louis

Team will move from Seattle, be renamed the St. Louis Nellies – the NTL’s Nelly Cup announced for July 19

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) announced that St. Louis native and multi-diamond, award winning artist Nelly has taken a significant ownership in an NTL team that will move to St. Louis. The league is relocating the Seattle franchise to St. Louis and will name the team the Nellies, after the famous horse term (“Whoa Nellie”) and in honor of its newest owner, Nelly.

As part of the announcement, Nelly will also serve as host of the National Thoroughbred League’s Nelly Cup at Fairmount Park, on Saturday, July 19th. The Nelly Cup will be more than just great teamhorse racing. There will be music – headlined by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member of A Tribe Called Quest, Jarobi White. Additionally, there will be food/drinks and a Nelly-inspired fashion show, as well as a proper welcome, and trophy presentation, from Nelly. It’s an entire afternoon of fun – as NTL also will celebrate the centennial of Fairmount Park.

“I’m excited to be part of bringing a new professional sports team to the city that means so much to me,” said Nelly. “The St. Louis Cup is set to be one of the summer's premier events, and I can't wait to hit the track and celebrate with our incredible St. Louis fans.”

The NTL is the first team-based professional league in horse racing, giving fans recurring favorites and rivalries, while turning race weekends into full-blown lifestyle experiences and opportunities to support the community — think Kentucky Derby meets Formula 1. NTL has 10 teams and celebrity backers like Nelly, Lamar Jackson, Julius Erving, Tanya Tucker, Rick Ross and Jarobi White.

“Nelly was an early investor in the National Thoroughbred League and his expanded ownership role is a testament to the momentum and success we’ve built so far,” said Randall Lane, co-founder of the NTL.“Our mission is rooted in creating authentic connections and fan bases in every city we’re in, which is why each team’s ownership group includes individuals who have strong, personal ties to their local communities.”

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.NTL.Racing.

About National Thoroughbred League

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) is a first-of-its-kind racing league reimagining America’s oldest spectator sport by creating a team-based professional sports league, by consistently and safely running exceptional horses, allowing fans the chance to root for the same stars month after month and year after year. The NTL is also a lifestyle, creating weekends of food, fashion and fun akin to the Kentucky Derby or Formula I.