NFL says matter will be reviewed under personal conduct policy
York, 46, was found guilty after pleading no contest to both charges at an arraignment hearing at Columbiana County Municipal Court. In the Ohio legal system, a no-contest plea means a defendant accepts a conviction without formally admitting guilt.
He was sentenced to one day in jail on each offence, to be served concurrently, and was given credit for time already served. York was fined $150 for disorderly conduct and $1,000 for possessing criminal tools.
According to US media reports citing court documents, York responded to an advertisement on a prostitution website placed by undercover officers from a Human Trafficking Task Force in Ohio. The documents say he arranged to have sexual activity with a woman in exchange for $140 (£103). Through a plea deal, the original charge was reduced to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools — the latter thought to refer to the phone used to reply to the advertisement.
Court records show the case was brought by the East Palestine Police Department and filed at Columbiana County Municipal Court on Monday. Court records also show an expungement request — a request to have records destroyed or sealed so they are not accessible to the public — was filed and denied on the same day.
York became a co-owner of Rangers through 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm linked to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, where he serves as chief executive and principal owner.
In May 2025, a consortium led by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises completed a takeover of Rangers after acquiring a controlling 51% stake in the Scottish Premiership club. Cavenagh became Rangers chairman, with 49ers Enterprises taking a leading role in the club’s ownership. The takeover followed months of negotiations and brought Rangers under majority American-backed ownership.
49ers Enterprises first invested in Leeds United in 2018, when the club was in the Championship, steadily increasing its investment as Leeds returned to the Premier League following a 16-year absence, before assuming full control in 2023.
The 49ers were part of the US consortium that took control of Rangers last year, though York is not involved in the day-to-day running of the club. Rangers and Leeds both said they will not be commenting.
The 49ers said: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”
The NFL said: “We are aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy.”