Two years after Owner Pat Bowlen relinquished day-to-day control of the Broncos, team trustees are mulling over "who takes over as owner for the team" going forward, according to Mark Kiszla of the DENVER POST. Bowlen's heir will "shape the franchise's future at every level." This "burden of responsibility is deeply felt" by Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis, who is "one of three trustees that will determine which of the seven Bowlen children will serve as the next owner." Ellis said a decision like this must be made "very carefully." Ellis: "You try to do what you think is very fair. If you waver from those ideas, it's not going to work out." Ellis added that there is "much work to do be done before making a final choice." Ellis: "When a child emerges that has the capability and has earned the right to have that job and take over their father's chair, the three trustees will determine that. Nothing has changed dramatically. ... There's no scoreboard, no leaderboard. We're not handicapping the children or anything like that." Kiszla noted as the Broncos "chase their sixth consecutive AFC West crown, the team has yet to feel any adverse impact from the elder Bowlen's absence." As is the case with "every decision Ellis makes, as he weighs the pros and cons of the Bowlen children, he will balance what does right" by Bowlen, what is "best for the Broncos and what feels right in his gut." For all Ellis has "achieved on behalf of the franchise," choosing the next owner of the Broncos might "ultimately prove to be his real legacy, for better or worse" (DENVER POST, 7/31).
