Estate Planning Move Could Shift 23% Giants Ownership
New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch is seeking approval to transfer his ownership stake in the team to trusts created for his children, according to an internal NFL memo obtained by CNN. The move involves approximately 23.1% of the remaining ownership interests held by the Tisch family in the storied NFL franchise.
The memo indicates that Steve Tisch, along with his siblings Jonathan Tisch and Laurie Tisch, informed NFL chief executives and club presidents of the proposed transfer earlier this week. The plan would place their ownership stakes into separate trusts benefiting their children, effectively restructuring the family’s share of the team.
If approved, the memo notes that the current sellers would no longer directly own any stake in the club, though the ownership would remain within the family through the trusts.
NFL Finance Committee Must Approve the Plan
The proposed ownership transfer still requires approval from the NFL’s finance committee, which oversees major franchise transactions and ownership changes across the league.
The league has not yet publicly commented on the proposal. CNN reported that requests for comment were sent to both the NFL and the New York Giants organization.
Ownership changes in the NFL often undergo a detailed review process, particularly when they involve significant percentages of a franchise. The finance committee ensures that such transactions comply with league rules and financial guidelines.
Part of Long-Term Family Estate Planning
A source familiar with the situation told CNN that the move is part of long-term estate planning, rather than a response to any recent developments.
“This transaction is part of estate planning that has been going on for 3–4 years and has nothing to do with anything else. Everybody’s role remains the same,” the source said.
According to the memo, the proposed transfers represent the final stage of a series of previously approved family estate planning steps. Earlier transfers to the same trusts were reportedly completed after receiving finance committee approvals in 2023 and 2024.
Such estate planning arrangements are common among wealthy franchise owners who wish to ensure a smooth generational transition while minimizing legal or tax complications.
Tisch Family’s Long History with the Giants
Steve Tisch has been closely connected to the New York Giants for decades. His father, Preston Robert Tisch, purchased 50% of the franchise in 1991, bringing the Tisch family into the ownership group alongside the Mara family.
Following his father’s death, Steve Tisch became executive vice president of the Giants, according to the team’s official website.
Under the combined ownership of the Mara and Tisch families, the Giants have remained one of the NFL’s most recognizable franchises, winning two Super Bowl titles in the 21st century.
Steve Tisch himself is also widely known outside football as a Hollywood film producer, having produced the Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump.
Epstein Document Fallout Earlier This Year
Earlier this year, Steve Tisch’s name surfaced in connection with documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.
The documents included emails suggesting that Tisch had asked Epstein for help connecting with women more than a decade ago.
However, Tisch has not been accused of or charged with any criminal activity in connection with Epstein.
In a statement provided to CNN in January, Tisch acknowledged a limited association with Epstein but emphasized that their contact was brief.
“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments,” Tisch said.
He also stated that he never accepted Epstein’s invitations or visited his private island.
“As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with,” Tisch added.
What the Ownership Transfer Means for the Giants
Despite the legal and administrative nature of the proposed transfer, the memo and sources indicate that day-to-day operations and leadership roles within the Giants organization will remain unchanged.
The ownership will continue to stay within the Tisch family through the trusts, meaning there will likely be no immediate impact on the franchise’s management structure.
Instead, the change primarily reflects a long-term generational transition strategy, ensuring that the family’s stake in the team passes smoothly to the next generation.
If approved by the NFL finance committee, the transaction would finalize the Tisch family’s multi-year estate planning process while keeping their legacy firmly tied to one of the league’s most historic franchises.
