A quick timeline of the Denver Broncos ownership situation

Jun 1, 2018, 9:09 AM | Updated: 9:11 am

DenverFan.com

On Thursday, Beth Bowlen became the first of Pat Bowlen’s children to public announce a desire to succeed her father as the controlling owner of the Denver Broncos.

The saga of the Broncos ownership situation may continue for some time to come, but here’s a look back at some of the major moments since Pat Bowlen stepped away to battle Alzheimer’s Disease.

July 23, 2014 — Broncos owner Pat Bowlen steps away to focus on battle with Alzheimer’s

President and CEO Joe Ellis: “Pat developed a plan to keep the Broncos in the Bowlen family, it’s part of his estate plan. He’s put the team in a trust, and he has asked me to run it. And I will do that.”

May 13, 2015 — Pat Bowlen elected to Broncos Ring of Fame

Ellis on Bowlen’s election:

“We elected our 28th member into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame earlier today, and that member is our owner, Pat Bowlen. I went over to his house about two-and-a-half hours ago and met with him briefly. I informed him, ‘You started the Ring of Fame back in 1984, and today you were elected into the Ring of Fame.’ He paused, he had a little wry smile come over his face, and he said, ‘Why the hell would you guys do that?’ That kind of sums up what Pat’s all about — his modesty and his humility.”

Ellis on any updates to ownership succession plan:

“There are no updates. We are still where we are from last July. It’s his hope that one of the children will come along and run the team someday and it’s my hope that it’s sooner rather than later. It will be a while; I don’t want to mislead anybody. There are some particular things that Pat wanted to see out of his children and we as trustees are watching and monitoring that. Nothing has changed since we last talked to you about that. Hopefully we can keep doing as good of a job as we strive to do.”

July 30, 2015 — Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis speaks ahead of training camp

“I don’t want to speak for if someone is closer or not closer. That’s not fair to the seven children. In terms of the timing, there’s no real time table. We are where we were last year and things continue the way they are.”

Nov. 1, 2015 — Pat Bowlen inducted into Broncos Ring of Fame

With a continual focus on his health, Pat Bowlen does not attend Ring of Fame halftime ceremony. Instead, his wife, Annabel, and children receive the honor on his behalf.

Feb. 7, 2016 — Denver Broncos defeat Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50

Ellis, the following day:

“It was really special at the end of the game to see Annabel [(Bowlen) and the family — the seven children — celebrating on the field, enjoying the moment, taking it all in. I heard from a couple of the family members that they were able to Skype with Pat during the celebration. I think that’s really neat and really fun for them. They’re going to have fun today at the parade.

“Pat should be here. This is who should be talking to you right now. I kind of thought about some of the things that he might say were he here today. He would tell you that he loved this team. He loved everything that they were about. Their resolve, their grit, their determination and the way they finished. He would have been so impressed with that, so pleased and so proud of them. One of the things that I told a few of you, I think, after the game on Sunday when I saw you or ran into you was that he would have said, ‘If you were surprised by the outcome today, you shouldn’t have been.’”

July 26, 2017 — Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis speaks ahead of training camp

“The status is not unchanged. When a child emerges that has the capability and has earned the right to have that job and take over their father’s chair, the three trustees will determine that. Nothing has really changed dramatically. It’s good to see that Brittany has gone back to school, Beth left and completed her law degree and Johnny has gone on to do some other things. There’s no change in terms of that. There’s no scoreboard, no leader board. We’re not handicapping the children or anything like that.”

Jan. 2, 2018 — Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis speaks at end of season press conference

“You can look back in your archives and I can repeat what I said then. When a child is ready, one of the adult children will be in place. There are a few that interested. I stay in touch with the family and stay in touch with them, and monitor their activities. I’m not in the position of handicapping any of that. That is where that stands.”

Jan. 31, 2018 — NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell weighs in on Broncos ownership situation during his Super Bowl LII press conference

“They have an owner; it’s Pat Bowlen. Unfortunately, he has significant health challenges right now. I worked with Pat directly, so I know he had set up a set up a system that was compliant with our rules, if such an unfortunate situation occurred. Pat is someone that I deeply admire and respect, so the trust has worked effectively in the short term, but it’s a decision at some point in time, that the membership will have to make. The finance committee and the broader membership of whether that’s compliant and whether any changes they can make beyond the trust will be consistent with our policies.”

May 31, 2018 — Pat Bowlen’s second-oldest child, Beth, throws name in ring for controlling ownership of the Broncos

Beth Bowlen, in an exclusive interview with Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic:

“I have completed the criteria laid out by the trustees, so I felt it was a good time to come out and express my interest and desire to be a part of the organization again.”

Beth Bowlen, in a press release to the media later in the day, said she has submitted a proposal for a succession plan with the Pat Bowlen Trustees that includes her taking over as controlling owner but also involves the other Bowlen children.

“I love the Denver Broncos. This team has been so special to my family, to the City of Denver and to the state of Colorado,” Beth said. “My father’s legacy is very important to me and my family. It is my desire to lead this team with the same passion my father did and help the Broncos become Super Bowl champions again. I have the ambition, experience and drive, and my mentor in running a winning NFL franchise is the best in the business — my father.”

In a response to Beth Bowlen’s press release, the Pat Bowlen Trust releases a statement saying her statements are “contrary to Pat Bowlen’s long-standing succession plan that he created over many years of careful consideration.”

According to the statement: “As trustees honoring the clear wishes of Pat, we have thoroughly evaluated whether Beth is capable of succeeding her father as controlling owner. We have determined that she is not capable or qualified at this time.

“We have communicated our decision to Beth and her lawyers on multiple occasions. She is also fully informed as to why her employment with the team ended in 2015.”

In a statement to The Athletic, Bill Bowlen, Pat Bowlen’s brother and former minority owner, said: