Leeds United co-owner Jed York was arrested on Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, on two misdemeanor charges. The 46-year-old principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers pleaded no contest to the charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools on Monday.
York was released on an Own Recognisance bond on Sunday. He was sentenced to two days in jail, fined $150 for disorderly conduct, and fined $1,000 for possessing criminal tools. Court records show the disorderly conduct charge was originally listed as engaging in prostitution before being changed. The court ordered a cellular device be returned to York and that $160 seized be forfeited to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
Jed York's exact shareholding in Leeds United has never been publicly disclosed. Leeds United Football Club Limited is wholly owned by 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC. York and Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe own over 10% in 49ers Enterprises Partners LLC, which is the sole entity holding voting rights in the global football group. York is not listed on the club's board of directors and holds no formal, day-to-day role. However, he was officially recorded at Companies House in September 2023 as an individual with significant control, a status usually indicating control over more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
He is not at every Leeds game but attends around a dozen matches each season at Elland Road and on the road. The club's board includes Andrew Schwartzberg, Peter Lowy, Eugene Schneur, Andreas Dracopoulos, Robbie Evans, Jed York, and Oliver Mintzlaff from Red Bull. In a written statement to supporters two months ago, Marathe mentioned York, saying, "I often say, 'You are only as good as the company that you keep'."
The NFL stated it is aware of York's arrest and will review the matter under its personal conduct policy. The San Francisco 49ers issued a brief comment, saying, "As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time." York has been the 49ers' CEO since 2008 and became the franchise's principal owner in 2024, though his family has owned the team since 1977.
This incident comes amid personal changes for York. He filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle Belluomini York, in May citing irreconcilable differences. The case was still pending as of August 12. The couple agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two children, aged 13 and 10, while the separation of property and assets remains undetermined.
The news breaks as Leeds United prepare for their next Premier League fixture. The club sits 9th in the table with 3 points from their opening game, a 1-0 victory. They have scored one goal and conceded none, giving them a +1 goal difference. Their next match is at home against Brentford, who are currently 3rd, on August 30.
Top scorer Anton Stach has netted the team's sole league goal this season from his one appearance. The team's early form and standings provide a footballing backdrop to the off-field developments involving a key figure in the ownership structure.
York's arrest and legal resolution are not expected to directly alter the daily running of Leeds United. Day-to-day football operations are led by chairman Paraag Marathe, who officially broke away from his NFL franchise role this month to focus fully on the club. York's influence is exercised through the 49ers Enterprises consortium, which includes many investors with varying stakes.
This consortium, led by Marathe and York, took control of Leeds from Andrea Radrizzani in July 2023. A statement at the time noted 49ers Enterprises had steadily increased its investment over the prior five years. York is also a co-owner of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, where he was mentioned alongside Marathe as a leader of the 49ers investment entity when majority ownership was announced in May 2025. The focus at Elland Road now shifts to the pitch and the challenge posed by Brentford this weekend.
