Pat Bowlen dead

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https://www.denverpost.com/2019/06/14/pat-bowlen-dies/

Pat Bowlen, the owner of the most successful sports franchise in Colorado history, died Thursday after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 75.

The Broncos announced at 12:28 a.m. Friday that Bowlen died at his Denver area home.

In a statement, the Bowlen family said: “Pat Bowlen had a competitive spirit with a great sense of humor. As fun-loving as he was, he always wanted us to understand the big picture. We will forever remember his kindness and humility. More important than being an incredible owner, Pat Bowlen was an incredible human being.”

Bowlen’s passing comes less than two months before he will be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Aug. 3).

After purchasing the Broncos in 1984, Bowlen’s zest for winning defined the franchise, turning the club into an AFC contender for the better part of three decades. Under Bowlen’s stewardship, the Broncos reached the Super Bowl seven times (winning in 1997, ’98 and 2015), won 13 AFC West titles, posted 21 winning seasons and reached the playoffs 18 times.

“Pat was driven by the will to succeed and his competitive spirit made him a great leader,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Our league is better because of Pat’s extraordinary contributions. … Pat personified all that’s right about the NFL and is extremely deserving of this summer’s recognition as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

In a Twitter message, former Broncos quarterback and current general manager John Elway wrote: “I will miss Pat greatly and will always treasure the times we had together. He was a tremendous mentor and a tremendous friend. My heart goes out to Annabel and the entire Bowlen family.”

Bowlen established a culture of winning without meddling in coaching or personnel decisions. His leadership style was equal parts understated and demanding — he stayed in the background and reveled in others receiving the public credit. But he always wanted to be kept abreast of the Broncos’ plans, on and off the field.

“He never really issued directives, but he damn well wanted to know what was going on and he never wanted to be surprised,” said team president Joe Ellis, who was the director of marketing when Bowlen bought the team. “If he liked an idea, he was enthusiastic — ‘Let’s get it done.’ If he was hesitant, he would start asking questions and make you think and come back with a different solution or idea.”

During Bowlen’s tenure, the Broncos won 333 regular season games, third in the league behind New England (346) and Pittsburgh (334) and recorded a .598 winning percentage, fifth-best in American pro sports.

The Broncos’ on-field success propelled their popularity to an unmatched level in the region. They sold out all 300 home games during Bowlen’s ownership and the franchise he and his family purchased for approximately $78 million is now valued at $2.6 billion, according to Forbes.

In the fall of 2013, Bowlen filed with the league to relinquish day-to-day control of the team because of the progression of Alzheimer’s; he stepped away from the team in July 2014.

The Broncos were placed in a family trust that was established years prior to eventually transfer ownership to Bowlen’s seven children. Ellis assumed control of the daily operations of the team and as one of the three trustees is tasked with appointing the team’s next controlling owner.

Bowlen is survived by his wife, Annabel (who announced her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in June 2018) and their five children, Patrick Dennis III, John Michael, Brittany Alexandra, Christianna Elizabeth, and Annabel Victoria; his first wife, Sally Parker, and their two children, Amie Klemmer and Beth Bowlen Wallace; his brothers Bill Bowlen and John Bowlen; and sister Mary Beth Jagger.

Two of Bowlen’s daughters have expressed interest in succeeding him as controlling owner. Wallace, 48, announced her intention in May 2018, a request that was rebuffed by the trustees. Five months later, Brittany, 29, said it was her goal to succeed her father.

In March, Ellis announced that Brittany Bowlen would be rejoining the franchise “within the year” in a “senior management position,” potentially starting a path to succeed her father.

The future of the franchise is essentially in the hands of Ellis, who is controlling owner delegee, team counsel Rich Slivka and Denver attorney Mary Kelly. They will select Bowlen’s successor.

It is believed Bowlen’s seven children will receive an equal stake in the franchise, but only one can be appointed controlling owner. The trustees could also decide it is in the best interest of the team and the family to sell the franchise (which they have the authority to do), but all indications are that they feel Brittany Bowlen is their preferred choice. It is Pat Bowlen’s wish to transfer ownership to one of his children.

Brittany Bowlen currently works for the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company in its Denver office and previously earned an MBA from Duke and has experience working for the Broncos and the NFL office. Beth Bowlen Wallace also has experience working for the Broncos and she earned a law degree from the University of Denver.

In October 2018, Bill Bowlen filed a lawsuit asking a judge to remove the trustees from power “due to their failure to uphold Pat Bowlen’s wishes and act in the best interest of Pat Bowlen, his family and the Broncos.” A month later, the trustees filed a stay in court and asked the NFL to serve as arbitrator between them and Bowlen Wallace and Klemmer. League commissioner Roger Goodell granted the arbitration request early this year and appointed former NFL front office executive Carmen Policy to lead the process.

The next owner faces an enormous challenge attempting to meet the standard created by Pat Bowlen. He was the Broncos’ best owner. He was the best owner in Denver sports history. And the Broncos became one of the best franchises in America’s most popular sport.

“You know that’s the reason the organization is where it is, because of him,” Shanahan said. “He gave you every chance to win and was just a very unselfish guy.

“His legacy will go on.”