KUSA – One of Pat Bowlen’s seven children made a startling announcement Thursday that at least momentarily threw her father’s seemingly tidy, unassailable succession plan into a state of chaos.
Beth Bowlen Wallace, Pat Bowlen’s second daughter from his first marriage, said she has met all the criteria set forth by her father’s trust and therefore she is ready to become the controlling owner of the Denver Broncos.
The Pat Bowlen Trust and trustee Joe Ellis responded with a strongly-worded statement that said Bowlen Wallace “is not capable or qualified at this time.’’
9NEWS circled back with Bowlen Wallace. Why, did she believe, the Trust stated she does not meet the criteria?
“I have read and fully understood the criteria that the Trustees developed in 2015 and how I’ve met it,’’ Bowlen Wallace said Thursday evening. “I completed my law degree. I worked for the organization. I don’t know why and can’t explain why they are saying that I have not met the criteria.
“Law school is not for the faint of heart. The last time I checked, you had to be smart and committed. I earned it. The commitment I showed earned it. My character earned this.’’
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So why now? Why go public with her desire to take control of the Broncos?
“Because it’s the offseason,’’ she said. “Everybody has been asking. And there’s too much speculation on my father’s health.’’
Pat Bowlen has been suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. The team officially announced in 2013 he has been inflicted with the neurodegenerative disease. Since then, the Pat Bowlen Trust has had controlling interest of the team. The Trust states one of his seven children will assume control once one of them satisfies the trustees that he or she has earned the right.
Is Bowlen Wallace concerned that going public with her desire to run the team has splintered the family?
“I don’t believe that,’’ she said. “I haven’t heard that this is the splintering the family.’’
Bowlen Wallace has received support from her uncle Bill Bowlen and older sister Amie Bowlen Klemmer but as of yet, Bowlen’s second and current wife Annabel and their five children have not commented.
