Speaking at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona on Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell provided an update on the status of the Denver Broncos’ ownership dispute.
“We have started the arbitration process,’’ Goodell said, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. “Carmen Policy, I’ve selected him to oversee that. We actually have been at it for 30 or 35 days.’’
Policy, 76, served as a vice president and general manager with the San Francisco 49ers (1983-1997) and as president and CEO of the Cleveland Browns (1998-2004).
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen stepped down from day-to-day operations in 2014 to continue his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, leaving the team in control of the Pat Bowlen Trust. The trust was tasked with passing on ownership of the team to one of Bowlen’s children when a qualified candidate emerged.
Beth Bowlen (one of Pat’s daughters from his first marriage) believes she is capable of running the team but the trust has said she is unqualified. Consequently, Bill Bowlen (Pat’s brother) is suing the trust, attempting to have them removed from power.
Brittany Bowlen (one of Pat’s daughters from his current marriage) is a more likely candidate to eventually become the team’s next owner. She is expected to begin working for the team again within the year.
Policy will be tasked with trying to resolve the ownership dispute.
