49ers co-Owner Denise DeBartolo York "moved very
publicly yesterday to tighten her reins" over the team by
"cutting off her brother," team co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo,
"from both control of the team and its purse strings,"
according to Matier & Ross of the S.F. CHRONICLE. DeBartolo
York named her husband, John, to take over the team, while
Bill Walsh will handle day-to-day operations. Sources say
the latest move "came after yet another family blowup,
started two weeks ago when Eddie reportedly billed the club
for a private plane he had chartered" to the 49ers-Falcons
playoff game. One family friend said Eddie went "nuclear"
when told that team execs "balked at paying the bill until
they consulted with Denise." All future reimbursements to
Eddie will now be "directed" to his sister. Angela Alioto,
a friend of Eddie's, on his reaction to the move: "How would
you feel if your brother-in-law came in and took your job
overnight? It's one thing when it's the NFL -- it's another
when it's your own family." 49ers spokesperson Sam Singer
said Denise and her husband will not sell the team (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 2/25). In San Jose, Clark Judge reports that
DeBartolo York made her announcement in a memo to team
employees and that her husband will get assistance in
running the team from Keith Lenhart (MERCURY NEWS, 2/25).
