Jed York Could Face Punishment From Nfl After No-contest Plea

San Francisco 49ers owner and CEO Jed York’s no-contest plea to misdemeanor disorderly conduct following his arrest on suspicion of engaging in prostitution raises the possibility that the NFL could punish him for conduct detrimental to the league.

Police in East Palestine, Ohio, arrested York on Sunday. On Monday, he pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, which under Ohio law refers to possessing a device (such as a cell phone) with an intent to use for criminal use. Both are misdemeanors. A no-contest plea means York doesn’t acknowledge guilt, but he also doesn’t challenge the allegations. York reportedly paid $1,150 in fines and was sentenced to one day in jail, which he has already served. This likely concludes the legal aftermath of the situation for York.

An NFL spokesperson told Sportico that “we are aware of the matter, which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy.”

The league’s reference to the personal conduct policy is key to understanding the extent of the fallout York could face as an NFL owner. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to punish owners, as well as executives, coaches and players, for conduct detrimental to the league—a phrase that includes not only illegal acts but also actions that damage the league’s brand and its relationships with important stakeholders such as fans, politicians, broadcasters and apparel companies. This authority is captured in several documents, including the league constitution that governs the contractual relationship between the league and teams.

The NFL could decide that York’s no-contest plea to a charge stemming from his arrest on suspicion of engaging in prostitution damages the league’s brand and its relationships with business partners. York’s arrest has also produced an unflattering mug shot of him wearing an orange jumpsuit. 

The NFL is sensitive to making sure that owners are treated as harshly as players for similar acts. Goodell has a track record of punishing owners who engage in illegal acts. 

In 2014, the commissioner suspended the late Jim Irsay, then the Indianapolis Colts owner, for six games and fined him $500,000 after Irsay pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle while under the influence. More recently, in 2022, Goodell suspended and imposed a $1.5 million fine on Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for tampering violations; Ross was suspended for what amounted to a 76-day period.

In 2018, Goodell also fined then-Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson $2.75 million following a league investigation into workplace misconduct related to Richardson’s treatment of women and people of color. Five years later, Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder agreed to pay the NFL $60 million following an investigation by former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White that found sexual misconduct and financial improprieties within the franchise. Although Richardson and Snyder weren’t forced out of the NFL—no owner has ever been expelled—it’s fair to say they were encouraged to leave, and their teams were sold shortly after.

Goodell declined to punish New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in 2019 after Kraft faced misdemeanor solicitation charges in Florida related to allegations involving sex at a massage parlor. Unlike York, Kraft challenged the charges, arguing that the evidence against him was inadmissible. That strategy succeeded after a Florida court found that law enforcement officials had impermissibly used secret video cameras to record continuously for five days. Prosecutors subsequently dropped the charges against Kraft.

Goodell also hasn’t punished New York Giants co-owner and chairman Steve Tisch, whose name The Athletic reported earlier this year appeared hundreds of times in connection with the late child sex offender and human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein allegedly “scouted” women for Tisch in 2013. Tisch expressed regret for his association with Epstein, whom he called a “terrible person,” and he has insisted that he never visited Little Saint James (a.k.a. Epstein Island) and that the women involved in the emails were adults. In March, Goodell said the league had investigated the matter but found no violation of any rule.

The practical impact of an owner suspension is likely limited since the owner doesn’t play or coach, though a suspension still carries a stigma. In Ross’ situation, he was removed from all league committees, barred from entering the Dolphins’ facility and prohibited from attending any league meetings. 

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