1 - Organization-For Print.indd - Parent Directory - NFL.com

Denise and John York bring long and distinguished careers insports and business to their roles as Co-Chairmen of the San Francisco49ers, where they combine their passion for building a championshipteam with their commitment to being the best possible businesspartners and community citizens.A THIRTY YEAR LEGACY IN BUSINESS AND PRO SPORTSSince Denise’s father, Edward J. DeBartolo Sr., purchased the 49ersin 1977, she has been an integral part of more than three decadesof 49ers football, including 36 playoff contests and five Super Bowlvictories. Earlier in her career, Denise served as President of thePittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Under her leadership, the Penguinswere revitalized and transformed into a championship teamwinning the Stanley Cup. She is one of only 12 women to have hername engraved on the Stanley Cup.A successful entrepreneur, John spent years as Senior Vice President/Directorof Racing Operations for the DeBartolo Corporation,instituting programs designed to enhance the fan experience andraise the profile of thoroughbred horse racing. John, a noted pathologist,began his business career in 1982 as founder of DeYor Laboratoriesin Youngstown, Ohio. From three employees, he molded thecompany into a 500-person operation with facilities in three statesbefore selling the company to Corning, Inc. in 1993.As owners of the 49ers, Denise and John provide the resources andguidance to uphold the 49ers celebrated history and oversee theteam’s relationship with the Commissioner of the National FootballLeague and other team owners.TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE NFLDenise and John’s dedication to the sport of football extends to thetop levels of the NFL.Denise is an active member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee,where she helps to oversee the League’s ongoing support of themuseum that pays tribute to the triumphs of pro football’s greateststars, including 14 legendary members of the San Francisco 49ers.John is Chairman of the NFL’s International Committee. Under hisleadership, the 49ers became the first team to play a regular seasongame outside the boarders of the United States, taking on the ArizonaCardinals in front of 100,000 fans at Azteca Stadium in MexicoCity. Under John’s direction, the League has expanded its presenceabroad with regular season games the past two years at WembleyStadium in London, England. During the 2010 season, the 49ershosted the Denver Broncos in London, England. John also sits onthe League’s Audit and Business Ventures Committees, which help toensure the NFL’s standing as the preeminent brand in all of professionalsports.CELEBRATING THE TEAM’S LEGENDARY HISTORYDenise and John have played a pivotal role in reaching out to formerplayers and coaches to help celebrate six monumental decades of49ers football. Over the past decade, Denise and John have broughtback every Hall of Fame enshrinee from the 49ers to be honoredat Candlestick Park for their tremendous contributions to Bay Areasports. Under their guidance, the team enhanced its annual alumniweekend event to give all players who have donned the red and goldthroughout the team’s history a chance to catch up with old friends.As part of the event, the former players are recognized on the fieldduring a half-time celebration at Candlestick Park, where so many ofthem made their mark on history. They have also worked with playerslike Joe Montana, Steve Young and Dwight Clark, and the membersof the 1981 49ers defense to re-enact and commemorate someof the team’s most famous plays such as “The Catch” and the goal linestand that propelled the team to its first Super Bowl victory.ENHANCING THE FAN EXPERIENCEDenise and John are dedicated to embracing the passion of 49ersfans everywhere. They are committed to giving fans an opportunityto experience the excitement of 49ers football year-round. Fromthe team’s annual Winter Fundraiser in Lake Tahoe charity eventeach winter, to its Draft Day celebration in Santa Clara each spring,to Family Day at Candlestick Park each summer, they have made ittheir mission to embrace the fans as family.In their efforts to extend the interaction between the fans and theplayers and coaches, Denise and John have opened a portion ofthe team’s training camp to the public since 2005, giving more than100,000 49ers fans the opportunity to meet the team before thefirst snap of the football season.On game days, they have spearheaded the effort to create a greatatmosphere for fans by making significant enhancements to CandlestickPark, from the creation of the Alumni Tailgate Party and FaithfulCity, to improvements inside the stadium such as new flat screenTVs, new escalators and remodeled restrooms.They’ve also provided new opportunities for fans to participate inthe excitement of 49ers football by giving local musicians the opportunityto sing the national anthem in front of 68,000 fans at the‘Stick, and providing opportunities to local talent to participate inhalf-time events on the field.MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERSUnder the leadership of Denise and John, the team’s community outreachprograms and 49ers Foundation have grown tremendously.Last year, 49ers players, coaches, staff and alumni participated incommunity events throughout the Bay Area as part of the team’saward-winning RESPECT community outreach program. The 49ersFoundation has also grown tremendously, from raising and donating$200,000 per year to Bay Area non-profit organizations, to a record$1.7 million in 2008, bringing the total to more than $10 million overthe last eight years.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS \\4// MEDIA GUIDE