NFL Suspends 49ers CEO Jed York and Fines Him After Arrest

The NFL has suspended San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York for six games and fined him $500,000 following his arrest in an undercover prostitution investigation.

The league determined that the 46-year-old violated its Personal Conduct Policy after police caught him attempting to pay for sex at an Ohio trailer park in August. York was reportedly prepared to pay $160.

The married executive had already stayed out of the public eye while the 49ers dealt with a turbulent period involving injury-related conspiracy theories and the unexplained car crash of head coach Kyle Shanahan.

In a statement released after the NFL announced its decision, York—whose fortune is estimated at $500 million—spoke publicly for the first time since his arrest and apologized to his family, the organization and its supporters.

York said he accepted the NFL’s ruling in full and expressed deep regret to his family, the 49ers’ players, coaches and employees, as well as the team’s fans and partners.

He described his conduct as an “inexcusable mistake,” accepted full responsibility and said it did not represent his values. York added that, although he had failed to set the example he wanted for his sons, he hoped to demonstrate the importance of acknowledging mistakes and learning from them.

York also acknowledged that leading the 49ers was a privilege and said he understood that regaining the trust of those connected to the team would take time and effort.

The 49ers CEO has not made a public appearance since the incident, maintaining a low profile as the league conducted its investigation.

Under the NFL’s ruling, York is eligible to return on October 20, after San Francisco completes its Week 6 matchup with the Washington Commanders.

He could be back with the team the following week for its October 25 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Three games of his six-game suspension will already have been served by then.

Court documents obtained by The Daily Mail after York’s August arrest stated that he had “arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140.” Investigators said he responded to an undercover advertisement posted on a prostitution website.

When York arrived at the meeting point—believed to be the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine—he encountered a law enforcement sting instead of the woman from the advertisement.

An agent from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force arrested him after finding that York had a cellphone “used to arrange a criminal act,” according to court documents.

York, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, roughly 20 miles from East Palestine, was initially charged with engaging in prostitution. Prosecutors later amended that charge to disorderly conduct. He also faced a charge of possessing criminal tools.

He pleaded no contest on a Monday morning and received a one-day jail sentence for both offenses, to be served concurrently. York was credited with one day already served and was ordered to pay a $1,150 fine.

Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. He also completed an online course.

It comes after York filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, back in May and cited irreconcilable differences. 

The York family took control of the San Francisco 49ers organization back in 2000, with Jed first working under his father John in the early 2000s. 

He took over the running of day-to-day activities in 2008 when he became CEO, and in 2024 he acquired enough of his mother’s stake to become majority owner.

York and 49ers Enterprises also co-own Premier League soccer team Leeds United, and Scottish Premiership giants Rangers FC.