NFL Reviews Arrest of 49ers Owner Jed York

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was arrested in Ohio just days before the team's final preseason game. He was first charged with engaging in prostitution, but that charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools. On August 24, York pleaded no contest to both charges, which are misdemeanors — meaning less serious crimes. The NFL quickly announced it would look into the matter under its personal conduct policy.

The NFL has a set of rules called the personal conduct policy. These rules apply to everyone who works for the league — not just players, but also coaches, team employees, and owners. The policy bans behavior that is harmful to the NFL's reputation or the public's trust in the league. Breaking these rules can lead to serious punishment, even if a person is not found guilty in court.

The policy lists several types of bad behavior that are not allowed. These include assault, physical violence, illegal use of alcohol or drugs, and disorderly conduct. The NFL can launch its own investigation into any possible violation. That investigation can be done by league staff, outside investigators, or both. Even if police are also investigating, the NFL keeps going with its own separate review.

When it comes to owners specifically, the policy says they are held to a higher standard than others. That means they can face bigger punishments than players or coaches for the same type of behavior. However, the policy does not spell out exactly what those punishments will be for owners. The NFL commissioner has the power to decide what discipline fits the situation.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to suspend or fine any owner up to $500,000. But if he thinks that is not enough for a very serious offense, he can go further. Goodell can bring the case to the league's executive committee and recommend major punishment. In the most extreme cases, that could even mean forcing an owner to give up the team.

The NFL can legally force an owner to sell his or her team, but it has never actually done this. Under the NFL's rules, it would take a vote of at least 24 of the 32 team owners to remove someone. It is a very high bar to meet, and no owner has ever been pushed out this way. Instead, some owners who faced serious problems in the past chose to sell their teams on their own.

York's situation is more likely to end in a suspension and a fine, based on how the NFL has handled similar cases before. In 2014, former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. In 2022, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was suspended six games and fined $1.5 million for breaking the NFL's anti-tampering rules. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was once arrested on similar charges to York but was never punished by the NFL because the criminal charges against him were dropped.

This is not the first time the 49ers have dealt with an owner in legal trouble. Back in 2000, York's uncle Eddie DeBartolo Jr. — the team's owner at the time — was caught up in a corruption scandal. DeBartolo Jr. admitted to paying a $400,000 bribe to a Louisiana governor in exchange for a casino license. As a result, the NFL forced him to hand control of the 49ers to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, who is Jed's mother.

Despite the scandal, DeBartolo Jr. was widely loved by players and fans for treating the team like family. He owned the 49ers for 23 years beginning in 1977 and oversaw five Super Bowl championships. In 2016, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2020, President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon, clearing his record.

Jed York had been running the team's day-to-day operations since 2008, first as team president and later as CEO. His mother Denise remained the principal owner until 2024, when Jed bought more of the team from her and took over as the main owner. Now, with the NFL's investigation underway, York's leadership of the team he has guided for years is facing its biggest test yet.