49ers stage ownership shift: Jed York to succeed mother as primary owner
The 49ers are seeking NFL approval to move CEO Jed York into the primary owner role that has been held the past 24 years by his mother, Denise DeBartolo York.
Jed York is on the verge of succeeding his mother as the 49ers’ primary owner, a title change that isn’t surprising after his past 13 years as CEO and face of the ownership group.
Such a move is meant to “ensure the 49ers stay in the York family for generations to come,” according to a team source.
Fellow NFL owners are expected to vote on that switch today in Orlando, Florida, site of the league’s annual owners’ meeting, according to Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer, who was first to report that York had bought some of his mother’s equity in the franchise.
Denise DeBartolo York, along with her husband, Dr. John York, took over control of the 49ers in 2000 from her brother, Eddie DeBartolo, a Pro Football Hall of Famer under whom the franchise won the Lombardi Trophy five times. Their father, Edward J. DeBartolo, bought the 49ers in 1977 from the Morabito family, which founded the franchise in 1946.
Jed York, 43, has spent nearly 20 years working amid the 49ers’ hierarchy, taking on the CEO role in 2010. Three Super Bowl trips have followed, including last season’s under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, who both had their contracts extended prior to the season.
“Our team speaks for itself,” Jed York said on Feb. 1, after the 49ers clinched their Super Bowl LVIII berth. “When you hear from me, it’s generally not good. It’s during a coaching change. It’s during an off-field incident that needs ownership commenting. My goal is to build an organization that speaks for itself. We have two great leaders in this organization. We have unbelievable people all around. I would much rather have this organization speak for itself than have me speak for it.”
Denise DeBartolo York, who’s believed to be in her mid-70s, attended the 49ers’ NFC Championship win and has preferred a low-key profile during her tenure. Dr. John York has been a constant presence at games and occasionally at practices over the past two decades, though it’s been Jed York who’s spoken on behalf of ownership for nearly a decade.
York is the oldest of his three siblings. Twin sisters Jenna and Mara lead the 49ers Foundation charity wing. Jed’s younger brother, Tony, passed away in 2018 at age 35. Jed York and his wife, Danielle, have two sons, Jaxon and Brixton.
After a contentious ownership transfer following Eddie DeBartolo’s legal issues, Denise DeBartolo York became one of the NFL’s first female owners. Others currently recognized as primary or co-owners in the NFL are: Kim Pegula (Buffalo Bills), Virginia Halas McCaskey (Chicago Bears), Dee Haslam (Cleveland Browns), Sheila Ford Hamp (Detroit Lions), Janice McNair (Houston Texans), Carol Davis (Raiders), Gayle Benson (New Orleans Saints), Jody Allen (Seattle Seahawks), and Amy Adams Strunk (Tennessee Titans). The Houston Texans are also expected to request a transfer of primary ownership, from Janice McNair to her son, Cal, according to ESPN.
NFL owners have approved these rule changes: a hip-drop tackle is now banned; coaches will get a third replay challenge after a successful challenge; and, enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to the change of possession when fouls are flagged on both teams.