San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges in Ohio on Monday, following his arrest over the weekend. NBC News reported that York entered the plea to charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, stemming from an arrest Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
Plea and sentence
According to court records cited by NBC News, York was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses, to be served concurrently, and was credited with one day served. He was also fined $1,150. The original charge of engaging in prostitution was amended to disorderly conduct by prosecutors, the report said.
As part of the plea agreement, a cellphone was returned to York, and $160 that had been seized was designated for the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. York also completed an online course, NBC News reported.
The 49ers and the NFL did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to NBC News.
NFL review
The NFL issued a statement acknowledging the matter. As reported by NBC Sports, the league said: "We are aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy." The statement did not specify a timeline for that review.
NBC Sports noted that York had previously said, "I own the 49ers, and you don't dismiss owners," and raised the question of whether owners are held to a lower standard than players in practice when it comes to discipline under the personal conduct policy.
The report also noted that York's path to ownership traces back to a legal matter involving his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo. In 1998, DeBartolo pleaded guilty to a felony charge of failing to report that former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards allegedly extorted $400,000 from him for a casino license.
Divorce filing
Separately, NBC Sports reported that York filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini, on Monday, May 11. The filing cited irreconcilable differences and involved a marriage dating to 2011. The couple has two children. The filing came the day after Mother's Day, according to the report.
That report noted the Monday of the no-contest plea came fifteen weeks after the divorce filing.
Background
York, 46, took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008 and became the team's principal owner in 2024, according to NBC News. Under his leadership, the team has made the Super Bowl three times, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and in the 2019 and 2023 seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
York also oversaw the building of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which opened in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup, and a College Football Playoff title game, NBC News reported.