Joe Ellis steps down, Greg Penner becomes new Broncos CEO
When late former Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen stepped down from his day-to-day duties in 2014 due to his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, team president/chief executive officer Joe Ellis became the team’s de facto owner.
Ellis was part of Bowlen’s trust that was set up to manage the team until a new owner was established. Following the sale of the team to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, Ellis’ time running the club has come to an end.
“As I step down as President & CEO, it has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to be part of the Denver Broncos for 27 seasons,” Ellis said in a statement. “I am forever thankful to our dedicated staff, the players and coaches for making this franchise what it has become today — one of the best organizations in all of sports.”
Ellis will serve as an advisor for the team’s new ownership group this season, but the the Broncos are filling his two former titles with new executives.
Walton is the team’s majority owner but his son-in-law, Greg Penner, will handle day-to-day ownership duties as the team’s new CEO. Penner is essentially the new Ellis, the executive tasked with running the club.
To fill Ellis former title of team president, Denver hired Damani Leech. He will be responsible for managing the team’s business operations. Broncos general manager George Paton will continue to run the football operations.
A new era in Denver begins now.
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
List
Meet the new Broncos ownership group
