Beth Bowlen (c) proposed a multi-pronged succession plan to the trustees of the Pat Bowlen Family TrustGETTY IMAGES
Beth Bowlen, one of Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen's daughters, has "informed the team's current leadership and the league that she seeks to be appointed controlling owner of the Broncos," according to Nicki Jhabvala of THE ATHLETIC. Beth Bowlen said, "I have completed the criteria laid out by the trustees, so I felt it was a good time to come out and express my interest and desire to be a part of the organization again." Beth Bowlen, one of two daughters from Pat's first marriage, "proposed a multi-pronged succession plan to the trustees of the Pat Bowlen Family Trust." The trust, established nearly a decade prior to Pat Bowlen's Alzheimer's diagnosis, was to "serve as a vehicle to transfer ownership of the Broncos to his seven children." Each would "receive an equal stake, but only one would be appointed controlling owner." The Pat Bowlen Trust and Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis responded with a statement Thursday, "emphasizing it informed Beth Bowlen that she was not qualified while adding that she had declined invitations by the trust to discuss her qualifications further." Although Beth Bowlen "declined to provide specifics of the proposal, she said it includes a short transition and mentorship period with the Broncos' front office, and a long-term plan to include her six siblings, who range in age from 20 to 48." Ellis "represents the team at league functions and makes the day-to-day decisions for the club as Pat Bowlen would." Although the trustees have the authority to sell the team, Ellis has said "emphatically and repeatedly that doing so isn't in the cards" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/31). In Denver, Ryan O'Halloran in a front-page piece reports by late Thursday, Bill Bowlen and Broncos minority Owner John Bowlen, Pat's brothers, and John's wife Kerry Bowlen, "had voiced their support of Beth" (DENVER POST, 6/1).
TIME TO PLAY THE FEUD? In Denver, Mark Kiszla writes Beth Bowlen "dropped a bombshell that revealed cracks in the succession plan." Kiszla: "This is how ugly feuds begin. Start with a family heirloom worth $2.4 billion. Add the natural tension of a seven children from two Bowlen marriages loosely melded by football." Bill and John Bowlen "wasted no time throwing support behind their niece." But Ellis, whose leadership is "firmly backed by 31 NFL owners" and Commissioner Roger Goodell, "holds the cards here." While there is "no disputing the intelligence or maturity" of Beth Bowlen, the game is "not going her way." This attempt at a public showdown for control of the franchise, while "heartfelt," also "feels like a Hail Mary pass" (DENVER POST, 6/1). Kiszla tweeted while "fans want to talk QB," the Beth Bowlen-Ellis conflict is a "much bigger deal to future Broncos success or failure than Trevor Siemian vs Paxton Lynch ever was." Colorado Springs Gazette's Woody Paige: "Beth Bowlen and Joe Ellis are not best friends. I’ve written about this story months ago and will explain more in column Sunday." Denver-based KUSA-NBC's Brody Logan tweeted Beth Bowlen "has a law degree, has worked with the team as Director of Special Projects, and offered to have a transition period to learn before she takes over the position full time. What more does she need to do to be 'capable or qualified'?" (TWITTER.com, 6/1).
