Through her attorney, Annabel Bowlen (r) filed a motion to intervene in the litigationGETTY IMAGES
Annabel Bowlen, the wife of Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, has "entered the dispute between her husband’s trustees and his brother, Bill Bowlen," according to Ryan O'Halloran of the DENVER POST. Through her attorney Hugh Gottschalk, Annabel Bowlen "filed a motion to intervene in the litigation." Gottschalk in a statement said of Annabel's reason for intervening, "Her goal is to be able to participate in the lawsuit that Bill Bowlen filed that is attempting to remove the trustees." O'Halloran writes there can be "two ways" to look at the motion to intervene. The first is that it is "not a big deal." Annabel is "not joining legal forces with the trustees, she is merely requesting a seat at the table, which would allow Gottschalk to attend closed-door negotiations and legal proceedings and allow him to have access to the files presented by both sides if the dispute reaches the discovery stage." The second is that it is a "semi-big deal." As a "beneficiary of trust, Annabel declaring approval for how the trustees have performed their duties since being installed by Pat Bowlen in July 2014 is certainly notable." If Bill Bowlen’s lawyers "oppose Annabel Bowlen’s motion, her legal team would respond and Judge Charles Pratt could make a decision next month" (DENVER POST, 12/21). THE ATHLETIC's Nicki Jhabvala noted Annabel in June announced that she, like her husband, is "suffering from Alzheimer’s." If "deemed incapacitated, she wouldn’t be able to testify in the case." Bill Bowlen has "repeatedly expressed” that Annabel should have "absolutely no role in the management or operations of the team.” He also expressed “concerns about her management and leadership abilities” (THEATHLETIC.com, 12/21).
ROLE PLAYERS: In Colorado Springs, David Ramsey writes a "realistic view of the value of NFL owners is essential when examining the mess that is the current state of Pat Bowlen’s family." This battle, "no doubt, offers an entertaining soap opera," and would "make a strong reality show." A wise owner "understands that she/he is a bit player in a team’s rise or fall." The owner "should hire the best help possible and then get out of the way." In his prime, Pat Bowlen was a "fine owner, one of the best." He did an "admirable job of distributing his mountain of cash." He was "intensely interested in winning and humble enough to realize his lack of deep football knowledge." He "asked the right questions." Ramsey: "But he was just an owner. I often hear Bronco fans giving heavy credit to Bowlen for the team’s rides to the Super Bowl. They overstate the weight" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 12/21).
