Who is the Owner of San Francisco 49ers?

The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in Santa Clara, California, USA. They are a member of the National Football League (NFL), competing in the NFC West division. Known for their rich history and dominance in the 1980s and 1990s, the 49ers have won five Super Bowl championships and hold a loyal fan base across the United States.

Founded in 1946 by Tony Morabito, the 49ers became the first major league professional sports franchise based in San Francisco. Since their founding, they have grown into one of the most valuable franchises in the NFL.

As of September 2025, the team is led by Jed York, who serves as CEO and represents the DeBartolo-York family’s ownership.

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Ownership Status of San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are privately owned by the DeBartolo-York family. Unlike publicly traded companies, there are no shareholders or institutional investors—ownership remains within the family lineage.

Key Owners

Owner / Entity	Ownership Role	Notes
Denise DeBartolo York	Principal Owner	Daughter of former owner Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
John York	Co-Owner	Husband of Denise, active in team management.
Jed York	CEO	Son of Denise & John, serves as public face of ownership.

Note: Ownership of the 49ers is not distributed like a public company. The DeBartolo-York family retains majority control and direction of the franchise.

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Key Shareholder Highlights

While the 49ers are privately owned, some important points stand out about their ownership history and structure:

• Denise DeBartolo York became principal owner after her brother, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., stepped aside in 2000 following legal troubles.
• John York partnered with Denise to manage the franchise, focusing on stability and business operations.
• Jed York, their son, is now the CEO and team president, acting as the most visible leader of the franchise. He is involved in both football and business decisions, representing the younger generation of the York family.

This family ownership has provided long-term stability and continuity for the team.

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Recent Developments in Ownership

There have been no significant changes in ownership recently. The DeBartolo-York family continues to maintain control of the team. However:

• Jed York has increasingly become the key decision-maker, representing the modern era of leadership.
• The family has invested in expanding the franchise’s brand value, including partnerships, Levi’s Stadium development, and community outreach.

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FAQs

1. Who is the current owner of the San Francisco 49ers?
The team is owned by the DeBartolo-York family, with Denise DeBartolo York as principal owner and her son Jed York as CEO.

2. Is the San Francisco 49ers publicly traded or privately owned?
The franchise is privately owned and not traded on any stock exchange.

3. Who founded the San Francisco 49ers?
The team was founded by Tony Morabito in 1946.

4. Has the ownership changed recently?
No. Ownership remains with the York family, who have controlled the team since 2000.

San Francisco 49ers Official Site