Fans take shot at York through air
Banner could be seen over Levi’s Stadium before Sunday’s game
SANTA CLARA — An airplane pulling the banner “JED & 49ERS SHOULD MUTUALLY PART WAYS” flew over Levi’s Stadium as the 49ers warmed up for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The plane apparently was hired by a group of discontented fans through gofundme.com, which was hoping to raise $549 for the project and instead amassed over $1,059 in 25 days.
It has been nearly a year since Jed York, the 49ers CEO, announced in a season-ending news release that the 49ers and then-coach Jim Harbaugh would part for their “mutual best interest.”
York, 35, has presided over the franchise’s day-today operations for nearly seven years. His parents, John York and Denise DeBartolo York, remain the majority owners and co-chairs, having assumed control in 2000 as Eddie DeBartolo stepped away from the franchise.
Jed York was appointed team president just before kickoff of their 2008 season finale. After graduating from Notre Dame in 2003, York worked two years as a financial analyst in New York before joining the 49ers full time in various capacities, including strategic planning.
In February 2012, York maintained his role as CEO but deferred his title of president to new minority owner Gideon Yu. In January 2014, Paraag Marathe was elevated to the team president role.
The last-place 49ers are 3-8 after losing Sunday’s home game 19-13 to the first-place Cardinals.