The San Francisco 49ers have become the latest sports franchise to dip their waters in the sale of a minority stake in their franchise.
According to Sports Business Journal, the San Francisco 49ers are “exploring” the sale of a 10-percent stake in the team. The offering would be based on a valuation of more than $9 billion. That would put the price of 10 percent at more than $900 million.
The report says it’s “unclear” whether the 49ers will sell to one of the approved private-equity funds or to one or more individuals. For now, the internal discussions are “ongoing.”
Edward J. DeBartolo originally bought the team in 1977 for $13 million, and gave the team to his son. The team was then passed on to his sister Denise DeBartolo York in 2000, who is Jed York’s mother. Denise DeBartolo York has an estimated net worth of about $6.3 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Under the Yorks, the 49ers have won five Super Bowls, tied for the second most ever.
