Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Pat Bowlen Relinquishes Control of Denver Broncos

Sad news out of Denver on Wednesday as the Broncos deal with a shake up in their ownership.

According to the Denver Post, Pat Bowlen, the beloved long time owner of the Broncos, is handing over control of the team as he acknowledges he is battling Alzheimer's disease.

Team president Joe Ellis will assume control of the Broncos as Bowlen focuses on his health.
Bowlen placed the Broncos' ownership in the Pat Bowlen Trust that is controlled by non-family members. Final-say authority with the team is held by Ellis.

Bowlen's long-term goal for the team is that one of his seven children to run the team when they are ready to take over the reins. The Broncos will not be put up for sale.

Bowlen and his siblings bought the Broncos from Edgar Kaiser for $78 million in 1984. Forbes Magazine recently listed the Broncos' value at $1.16 billion.

Bowlen's wife released a statement through the Denver Post acknowledging that her husband has been quietly battling the progressive degenerative brain disease for many years but has kept the matter private to keep focus only on the Broncos and not his health.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement to the Denver Post calling it a sad day for the NFL. "Pat Bowlen's leadership has been critical to the success of the Broncos and the entire NFL. From building a championship team that is a pillar of the community to his important work for the league on television and labor matters, Pat's love of the game drove him and we have all benefited from his passion and wisdom. But the time has come for Pat to focus on his health and we fully support him. Joe Ellis has been a trusted executive for Pat for many years after working with us at the league office. Joe's deep experience ensures that the Broncos will continue to have strong leadership."

In 2011, Bowlen and Ellis worked together to reshape the football operations department of the Broncos and hired John Elway to run the department. Later that same year, Bowlen promoted Ellis to president and removed himself from the day to day business of running the organization.

Elway hired John Fox in 2011 and the team has since won three AFC division titles, made three consecutive playoff appearances and made one Super Bowl.

Bowlen was known to his team as "Mr. B" the type of owner who both held control but allowed the people he hired to do their jobs and run the organization. His style of ownership proved to be very successful over the years. Under his ownership the team has only had five losing seasons. He reached his 300th victory as owner last year, the first owner to do so by his 30th season at the head.

Broncos won the AFC championship six times- in the 1986, '87, '89, '97,'98 and 2013 seasons.They won back-to-back Super Bowls with Elway at quarterback in 1997 and 1998.

Bowlen's legacy is forever cemented with the Broncos and the NFL. The team will continue to thrive and grow under Ellis, who will now add CEO to his title. Bowlen will always be loved and appreciated for the work he did for his team and for the league as a whole.




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