The San Francisco 49ers are one of the league’s richest franchises in terms of on-field success. The team captured five Super Bowl championships between 1981 and 1994.
San Fran’s enjoyed a more recent run of success as well, qualifying for the NFC Championship Game in four of the past five seasons. The ultimate prize, a Lombardi trophy, has eluded them since the early days of Bill Clinton’s presidency.
The 49ers will try to take another step back toward football Valhalla this Sunday when they host the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship. Team owner Denise DeBartolo York will root for the team to add to its treasure trove of football riches.
What Is Denise DeBartolo York’s Net Worth?
As it pertains to Debartolo York’s riches, well, let’s just say her pockets aren’t hurting any.
DeBartolo York’s net worth varies depending on your source, but a recent news report from NBC affiliate 21WFMJ estimates her net worth at a staggering $5.8 billion. Most of that can be attributed, unsurprisingly, to her majority ownership stake in the 49ers.
The report goes on to note that her substantial wealth earned her a spot on the Forbes 400 for 2023, a recurring list of the wealthiest billionaires in the United States. DeBartolo York landed at 182 overall and was an impressive 33rd among women.
The 49ers franchise has been in her family for some time now, ever since her brother, Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., purchased the team in 1977. He’d pass the team on to Denise for good in 2000 following a heated legal battle.
These days, familial dealings within the 49ers franchise are much more harmonious. Denise shares ownership responsibilities with her husband, John York, and their son, Jed York.
But the 49ers are from her only foray with sports management. She served as president of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1978 through 1991. During that span, DeBartolo York oversaw the first Stanley Cup in Penguins franchise history. She also became the third woman ever to preside over a Stanley Cup-winning team.
She’d make the difficult decision to sell the franchise soon thereafter, largely to help the family-owned DeBartolo Corporation combat the economic constraints of the 1987 real estate collapse.
That wouldn’t deter DeBartolo York from pursuing other investments in the world of sport, even if it took some time for her to do so. But the next team she invested in doesn’t play on a gridiron or a rink.
DeBartolo York ventured across the pond in 2018 to invest in a team that plays on a pitch: English association football club Leeds United.
The York family (via 49ers Enterprises) bought shares in the 104-year-old club in 2018, but they completed a full takeover this past June. Ironically, neither the 49ers nor Leeds United has won a championship in their respective league since the 90s. Denise DeBartolo York will be hoping for a reversal of fortune for both teams, starting with the 49ers this Sunday.
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As for her fortunes, they’re doing quite all right.
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