Jed York Jailed After Prostitution Sting in Ohio

Jed York, co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers and principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has been jailed in Ohio after being arrested in a prostitution sting.

The 46-year-old NFL executive was convicted of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, following a no contest plea to two charges. Under Ohio law, that plea accepts conviction without an admission of guilt, but the outcome is the same: a criminal record and a sentence.

York received one day in jail on each count, to be served at the same time, and was credited for time already spent in custody. The case, brought by the East Palestine Police Department, was filed at Columbiana County Municipal Court on Monday, with the conviction and sentencing following at an arraignment hearing the same day.

Court documents show York entered a no contest plea to both charges and was found guilty. An expungement request – a bid to have the records sealed or destroyed so they cannot be accessed by the public – was lodged and denied on the same day, leaving the case on the record.

According to US media reports citing additional court filings, York responded to an advert on a prostitution website that had been posted by undercover officers from an Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. The documents state he arranged to engage in sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $140 (£103).

The original charge was reduced as part of a plea deal, with prosecutors agreeing to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools. The latter is understood to relate to the mobile phone used to reply to the advert.

The ramifications stretch from Ohio courtrooms to boardrooms in Glasgow, Leeds and Santa Clara. York became a co-owner of Rangers through 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm tied to the San Francisco 49ers, where he serves as chief executive and principal owner. That group, alongside a consortium led by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh, completed a takeover of Rangers in May 2025, securing a controlling 51% stake in the Scottish Premiership club.

The 49ers were also part of the US consortium that assumed control at Rangers last year, though York is not involved in the day-to-day running of the Ibrox club. Leeds United are similarly linked through the 49ers’ investment structure.

Both Rangers and Leeds have declined to comment on the case. The 49ers issued a brief statement: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

For now, the legal process has run its course. The questions that linger sit with the clubs and fanbases attached to York’s name.