The fallout from owner Jed York's arrest continues to hang over the San Francisco 49ers, but NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco doesn't believe it will cost the York family the franchise.
York was charged with two misdemeanors — disorderly conduct and possession of criminal tools — after responding to an undercover ad on what was described as a known prostitution website. He received a two-day jail sentence and a $1,150 fine. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed at the league's preseason owners' meeting that the incident is being reviewed under the personal conduct policy. York did not attend the meeting, a decision that wasn't surprising given how recent the arrest was.
Speaking on KNBR, Maiocco addressed the inevitable speculation about
a forced sale directly, pointing to how deliberately the York family structured its ownership just two years ago.
"I can't see that. Jed bought equity from his mom in order to become the principal owner. Yes, the 49ers raised a lot of money by selling off around 9.7% of the organization, but when they transferred ownership officially over to Jed as the principal owner, the idea was this was a move made to ensure that it remained in the family," Maiocco said. "I would imagine the long-term plan is for Jed to hand it over to one of his sons or keep it in the family. I don't think this [arrest] will impact that. I think that there will be some discipline by commissioner Roger Goodell. I think it can happen sooner rather than later because the legal process has run its course. I would expect a fine and even a suspension, where he has to stay away from the team for a certain amount of time."
York became the 49ers' principal owner in March 2024, purchasing additional equity from his family specifically to formalize what had effectively been his role since taking over as CEO in 2010. At the time, York did frame the move as a long-term succession plan, saying it was "reflective of how we've operated" and intended to keep the team "in our family for generations to come." His mother, Denise DeBartolo York, and father, Dr. John York, remained co-chairs.
Maiocco acknowledged the situation is embarrassing for the organization and could become a talking point if the 49ers stumble out of the gate, but he drew a comparison to another franchise that weathered owner controversy without a sale: the New England Patriots under Robert Kraft.
"Nobody was talking about that with Robert Kraft," Maiocco said, "and I think it'll blow over, but it will always be kind of in the back of people's minds."
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers insider weighs in on possibility 49ers are sold by Jed York
