NFL Investigation Clears Giants Co-Owner Steve Tisch Over Epstein Links
National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that the league's ongoing investigation into New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has yet to reveal any evidence of wrongdoing. Speaking at this week's league meetings in Phoenix, Goodell told reporters that the NFL has found no cause for action under its Personal Conduct Policy regarding the 77-year-old film producer.
Following the Facts
'There hasn't been,' Goodell responded when asked about findings against Tisch. 'As we said, we're going to follow the facts. We have been doing that. We've been very focused on making sure we know everything that's out there. We've engaged with others to make sure we have that information.'
The commissioner's comments come after Steve Tisch's name surfaced more than 400 times in court files related to Epstein, who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Despite this extensive documentation, the NFL probe has not identified any policy violations by the Giants co-owner.
Ownership Restructuring Unrelated to Investigation
Steve Tisch, along with siblings Laurie and Jonathan, recently transferred their ownership stakes in the team to their children's trusts. A Giants spokesman told the Daily Mail on March 11 that this family reorganization of their 45-percent stake was unrelated to the NFL's investigation into Steve's Epstein ties.
'As you know, the Tisch family also made some family changes,' Goodell told reporters in Phoenix. 'Steve, and Jon, and Laurie actually did some transactions as part of their estate planning and are no longer owners.' The commissioner clarified that this ownership change has not shielded Steve Tisch from continued league scrutiny.
Tisch's Statement and Email Revelations
Steve Tisch has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and released a statement in February expressing remorse for their association. 'We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments,' the statement read. 'I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.'
Court documents revealed email exchanges between Tisch and Epstein primarily from around 2013. In one conversation, Tisch asked Epstein if a woman was 'pro or civilian,' to which Epstein responded with details about her background. Another email showed Epstein telling Tisch to 'send me a number to call' because he didn't 'like records of these conversations.'
Giants Ownership History and Family Background
The Tisch family originally bought into the Giants in 1991 when patriarch Bob Tisch agreed to take on half the team from Wellington Mara for a reported $75 million. Prior to the recent transfers detailed in the memo, Steve, Laurie and Jonathan Tisch collectively owned 45 percent of the team. The heirs of Giants founder Tim Mara still control the other 45 percent after a 10-percent sale to late billionaire David Koch's family in September.
The Giants are currently valued at $10.1 billion according to Forbes' latest assessment. Away from football, Steve Tisch works primarily as a film producer with credits including American History X, Snatch, and an upcoming biopic on late NFL coach and announcer John Madden.
Precedent for Owner Discipline
Although Goodell is employed by NFL owners, he has demonstrated willingness to punish them for violations of league policy. In 2018, a league investigation into allegations of sexism and racism against then-Panthers owner Jerry Richardson resulted in a $2.7 million fine, with Richardson ultimately selling the team amid public pressure.
Other notable cases include late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay receiving a $500,000 fine and six-game suspension in 2014 following a DUI arrest, and New Orleans Saints' Tom Benson being fined in 2012 over the team's 'Bountygate' scandal that also resulted in lost draft picks.
'But we have not found anything that's a violation at this stage,' Goodell reiterated regarding the Tisch investigation, emphasizing that the league continues to monitor the situation while maintaining its fact-based approach to the sensitive matter.
