A group that includes activist investor Jana Partners and NFL player Travis Kelce says it has accumulated one of the largest ownership stakes in Six Flags Entertainment, which owns Cedar Point in Sandusky and Kings Island in Mason.

The group says it intends to press the company’s leadership on ways to improve the struggling amusement park operator’s business.

Jana earlier this week said that the investor group now owns an economic interest of approximately 9 percent in Six Flags.

The group plans to “engage” with Six Flags’ management and board of directors to discuss ways to enhance shareholder value and improve visitors’ experience.

Shares in the Charlotte, N.C.-based Six Flags surged 17.7 percent on the news, but even with that rally, the company’s shares are down about 47 percent so far this year.

Six Flags reported a loss of $319.4 million for the first half of the year. The company said attendance fell 9 percent in the three months ended June 29, due partly to bad weather and a “challenged consumer” in most of the markets it operates in.

The investor group also includes consumer executive Glenn Murphy and technology executive Dave Habiger.

Cedar Point’s and Kings Island’s previous owner, Cedar Fair, merged with Six Flags in July 2024 to form a new company, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

The company operates 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across in 17 states, Canada and Mexico.

The company owns the Soak City water park adjacent to Kings Island and Cedar Point Shores water park.

Six Flags also has an office in Sandusky that’s home to some finance and administrative operations.

Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, said in a statement that he grew up going to Six Flags amusement parks.

“The chance to help make Six Flags special for the next generation is one I couldn’t pass up,” he said.