Jed York Jailed for Soliciting Prostitution in Ohio

Jed York, the co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers and principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has been jailed in Ohio after being arrested for soliciting prostitution.

The 46-year-old entered a no contest plea to two misdemeanour charges – disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools – and was subsequently convicted on both counts.

Under Ohio law, a no contest plea accepts conviction without an admission of guilt. The court treated it as such. York received a one-day jail sentence on each offence, to be served concurrently, and was credited for time already spent in custody.

The case was brought by the East Palestine Police Department and filed on Monday at Columbiana County Municipal Court. Court records show York pleaded no contest at his arraignment hearing and was then found guilty on both charges.

An expungement request – a bid to have the records sealed or destroyed so they are no longer publicly accessible – was lodged and rejected on the same day, according to the same records.

Details emerging from US media reports, citing additional court documents, outline a sting operation. York is said to have replied to an advertisement on a prostitution website posted by undercover officers from an Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. The documents state he arranged to engage in sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $140 (£103).

The pressure of the case eased slightly for York through a plea deal. The original solicitation charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, with the latter understood to refer to the phone used to respond to the advert.

The 49ers were part of the US consortium that completed a takeover of Rangers last year, but York does not handle the Scottish club’s day-to-day operations. He also holds an ownership stake in Leeds United through the same investment structure.

Both Rangers and Leeds have declined to comment on the case.

The 49ers organisation issued a brief statement: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

York became a co-owner of Rangers via 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm associated with the NFL franchise where he serves as chief executive and principal owner. In May 2025, a consortium led by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh, alongside 49ers Enterprises, secured a controlling 51% stake in Rangers, reshaping the club’s ownership.