Sport

Jed York, co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers, convicted of solicitation of prostitution

Herz — Sport Desk · 25 August 2026 at 11:01 · 30s summary · 2 min read

The essentials

Jed York, 46, principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers and co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers, was convicted on August 25, 2026 at Columbiana County Municipal Court in Ohio for disorderly conduct and possession of criminal instruments following his arrest for solicitation of prostitution. He pleaded no contest to both charges and was found guilty. The sentence amounts to one day in jail and fines totaling $1,150. The NFL announced it would review the case under its personal conduct policy.

Convicted August 25, 2026 to one day in jail and $1,150 in fines in Ohio
Arranged sexual act for $140 with undercover police officers
Initial solicitation charge reduced to two misdemeanors in plea deal
Leeds United and Rangers refused to comment on the case
NFL announces review under its personal conduct policy

What we know

Jed York, 46, appeared on August 25, 2026 before Columbiana County Municipal Court in Ohio. According to the BBC, he entered a no-contest plea to two charges—disorderly conduct and possession of criminal instruments—and was found guilty on both counts.

Court documents indicate that York responded to an advertisement posted on a prostitution website by undercover police officers from an Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force unit. He had arranged a sexual act in exchange for $140.

The case was brought by the East Palestine Police Department and filed in Columbiana County Municipal Court. The initial charge of solicitation of prostitution was reduced as part of a plea agreement. The criminal instruments charge allegedly targeted the phone used to respond to the advertisement.

York was sentenced to one day in jail per charge, with the two sentences to run concurrently, with credit for time already served.

Fines amount to $150 for disorderly conduct and $1,000 for possession of criminal instruments.

A request for expungement and sealing of the court records was filed and rejected the same day.

Who is Jed York?

York is CEO and principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, a National Football League (NFL) franchise. His investment arm, 49ers Enterprises, also holds stakes in European football clubs.

In May 2025, a consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises completed the acquisition of 51% of Rangers, a Scottish Premiership club—Scotland's top-flight football championship featuring the twelve best Scottish clubs. Cavenagh became club president.

49ers Enterprises first invested in Leeds United in 2018 when the club was playing in England's second division. Full control was taken in 2023, following Leeds' return to the Premier League after 16 years away.

York is not involved in the day-to-day management of Rangers. Both Leeds United and Rangers refused to comment. The 49ers were also contacted.

NFL response

We are aware of the matter, which will be reviewed under our personal conduct policy.
— NFL

Frequently asked questions

Was York actually incarcerated?

He was sentenced to one day in jail per charge, with sentences running concurrently. The judgment grants credit for time already served, meaning the sentence is considered already fulfilled.