Daughter of Broncos owner proposes she take the helm

DENVER — Beth Bowlen Wallace, daughter of longtime Denver Broncos’s owner Pat Bowlen, has submitted that she take the helm of the NFL sports team, although the trust currently managing the team says otherwise.

Bowlen Wallace submitted a proposal for the succession plan to the Trustees of the Pat Bowlen family trust, which was set following Bowlen’s failing health due to Alzheimer’s and now has controlling ownership of the team. The trust is operated by three people not in the Bowlen family: team President Joe Ellis. team General Counsel and Executive Vice President Rich Slivka and attorney Mary Kelly.

Despite Bowlen Wallace saying she’s ready to take controlling ownership, the trust says otherwise.

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“Pat did not designate Beth as a trustee or appoint her to a leadership position, nor did he instruct the trustees to specifically mentor her,” said a statement from the Pat Bowlen Trust. “He made it clear that his children were not automatically entitled to a role with the team and that they would have to earn that opportunity through their accomplishments, qualifications and character. 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.”

Bowlen Wallace’s succession plan involves her taking over as controlling owner of the team following a transition and mentorship period with the current leadership. The proposal also includes a long-term succession strategy that involves other Bowlen children taking over the team beyond Bowlen Wallace.

“Along with continuing the winning tradition of my father, the focus is to keep this team in my family and keep the Broncos in Denver,” she said in a prepared statement.

Bowlen Wallace, 47, had previously worked for the Broncos under her father, serving as director of special projects and overseeing initiatives like the Ring of Fame Plaza, installing a statue of her father and managing community affairs.

“In 2011, my dad strongly encouraged me to join him in the organization. I was humbled and ready for the opportunity to work alongside him, especially given his declining health,” Bowlen Wallace said.  “I have developed great relationships with members of the NFL and the Denver business community, and they have expressed their support for me in the past,” added Beth.

However, the statement from the trust said that in 2015 Bowlen Wallace’s employment with the Broncos ended and that she has been invited to discuss her qualifications over the past two years.

In 2009, Bowlen announced he was struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s, which he had been diagnosed with years prior. In 2014, 30 years after purchasing the Broncos team, Bowlen stepped down as controlling member, after previously stepping away from day-to-day control years before.