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Judge dismisses Bill Bowlen lawsuit seeking to remove Pat Bowlen Trust

Posted at 3:02 PM, Aug 29, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-29 17:02:59-04

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. – A judge has dismissed Bill Bowlen’s lawsuit in which he sought to remove the trust that has overseen the team since late owner Pat Bowlen stepped down in 2014 in a boon to efforts by the trust to carry onward with their succession plan.

Bill Bowlen, who is Pat’s brother, filed a lawsuit last year seeking to remove the trust after Beth Bowlen Wallace expressed her desire to own the team in Spring 2018. But the Pat Bowlen Trust – comprised of Broncos CEO Joe Ellis, Rick Slivka and Mary Kelly – told Bowlen Wallace she was not capable of or qualified to own the team.

Ellis and the other trustees have said for months they expect Brittany Bowlen to rejoin the franchise in a senior management position sometime in the latter half of this year or early next year. She first expressed her desire to become controlling owner of the team last year.

The judge’s decision clears the way for the trust to continue forward with its plan. Pat Bowlen died in June at age 75 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this month. Bill Bowlen had moved forward with the lawsuit after his brother's death.