Marie Denise DeBartolo York (born 1950) is an American billionaire businesswoman, who is the owner and co-chair of the San Francisco 49ers American football team[1] as well as Leeds United through 49ers Enterprises. She is the daughter of the late construction magnate Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. and the late Marie Patricia Montani DeBartolo.
Denise DeBartolo York | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marie Denise DeBartolo 1950 (age 73–74) Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Saint Mary's College |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Known for | Owner and co-chair, San Francisco 49ers Owner, Leeds United |
| Term | 2000–2008 |
| Predecessor | Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. |
| Successor | Jed York |
| Board member of | San Francisco 49ers |
| Spouse | John York |
| Children | 4, including Jed York |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. (brother) Tiffanie DeBartolo (niece) |
Early life
editDeBartolo grew up in a family famous for real estate development.[2] She attended Saint Mary's College of Indiana, a Catholic women's college near the University of Notre Dame.[1]
Career
editAfter graduation, she joined the family business, The DeBartolo Corporation, and became its executive vice president.[1] In 1994, following her father's death, she became company co-chairman[1] and all 78 DeBartolo malls were sold.
In 1978, Edward DeBartolo purchased the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins.[1] and established DeBartolo York as owner and president. She presided over the Penguins 1990–91 championship season,[1] and was the third woman to serve as president of a Stanley Cup-winning team.[3] In 1991, the year following the championship, she sold the Penguins to assist the DeBartolo Corporation, which was facing challenges in the aftermath of the real estate collapse of 1987.[4][5]
Denise became operating head of the 49ers in 1999 after her brother, Eddie Jr., was convicted of failing to tell authorities that former Louisiana governor Edwin Edwards attempted to extort him. Although Eddie could have resumed control of the 49ers after a year, he decided instead to turn his controlling stake in the team over to Denise in return for other portions of the family interests.[6] Despite a years-long perception that the league forced the transaction, Eddie revealed in a 2016 interview that he decided to give the 49ers to his sister and brother-in-law to focus on his family.[7] She and her husband gave over control of the 49ers to their son, Jed York in 2008.[8]
On May 24, 2018, the York family via 49ers Enterprises (the business arm of the NFL side San Francisco 49ers.[9][10]) bought shares in English association football club Leeds United to become a minority investor. 49ers Enterprises eventually completed a full takeover of Leeds United on June 9, 2023.[11]
Personal life
editShe is married to retired American cancer research pathologist John York.[12] The Yorks have four children: sons Jed and Tony (deceased 2018), and daughters Jenna and Mara;[12] and live in Canfield, Ohio, a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Denise DeBartolo York". San Francisco 49ers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
- ^ Nancy Gay (September 1, 2000). "The Family Business". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
- ^ "Stanley Cup Notebook". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2007.
- ^ "DeBartolo is unlikely to sell Penguins Edward J…". Baltimore Sun. May 29, 1991. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Lapointe, Joe (November 19, 1991). "Hockey; The Penguins Are Sold But Price Is a Mystery". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Family approach leads Eddie DeBartolo to steps of Hall of Fame". UPI. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Holloway, Patrick (January 26, 2016). "Eddie DeBartolo speaks to Bay Area media". Ninersnation.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
- ^ "Jed York Officially Takes Over 49ers". NBC Bay Area. December 28, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "San Francisco 49ers Enterprises Become Minority Investor". Leedsunited.com. May 24, 2018. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ "Ownership structure - Leeds United". Leedsunited.com. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "Ownership Update". Leedsunited.com. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b San Francisco Gate: "The Family Business / 49ers owner talks of her brother, her privacy and her priorities" by Nancy Gay, San Francisco Chronicle, September 1, 2000