NFL hands 49ers' Jed York $500K fine, 6-game suspension after owner arrested while responding to fake prostitution ad

The NFL has fined San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York $500,000 and suspended him for six regular-season games for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"During the time the league's investigation has been proceeding, York has stayed away from the 49ers' first three regular-season games, as well as from NFL league meetings," the league said in a statement on Friday, via NFL Network's Mike Garafolo .

"Those three missed games are counted toward his suspension, and he may return on Tuesday, Oct. 20."

That return coincides with Week 7 of the 2026 campaign, during which the currently undefeated Niners will face the Atlanta Falcons on the road on Oct. 25.

York also released a statement on Friday:

"Today, the NFL concluded its review, and I accept its decision in full," he said, via ESPN's Nick Wagoner . "To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry. "This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family. "While I fell short of the model I want to set for my sons, I now hope to show them the importance of owning up to one's failures, and that even our worst moments teach us to be better. "Leading the 49ers is a privilege, and one I don't take lightly. Your trust will have to be earned back over time, and I look forward to that work ahead."

"Today, the NFL concluded its review, and I accept its decision in full," he said, via ESPN's Nick Wagoner .

"To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry.

"This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family.

"While I fell short of the model I want to set for my sons, I now hope to show them the importance of owning up to one's failures, and that even our worst moments teach us to be better.

"Leading the 49ers is a privilege, and one I don't take lightly. Your trust will have to be earned back over time, and I look forward to that work ahead."

York, who reportedly filed for divorce from his wife in May , used the pseudonym "Joe" when engaging with a fake advertisement police deployed while it masqueraded as a woman, according to a Friday report from The Athletic , which cited an incident report from the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.

A meeting was arranged at a mobile home park in in East Palestine, Ohio.

York, a Youngstown, Ohio, native, reportedly agreed to one hour of "full service sexual activity" for $160. He was given a fake lot number in the mobile home park, identified as the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in ESPN's Aug. 25 report .

After York couldn't find the made-up lot number, he was stopped by police and arrested, per The Athletic's Aug. 25 report .

At first, York faced a prostitution charge that was eventually amended to disorderly conduct through a plea agreement, per ESPN . Additionally, York was charged with possession of criminal tools, a classification that can apply to a cell phone, which he used to communicate with the fictitious prostitute in the sting.

He pleaded no contest to both of those misdemeanors and was sentenced to two days in jail. Plus, York had to pay a $1,150 fine, according to The Athletic's Friday report .

Notably, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft didn't receive a punishment from the NFL after he was accused of paying for sex with a woman at a massage parlor. However, the charges against Kraft, misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution, were dropped.

York was handed the same penalty — a $500,000 fine and six-game suspension — late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay dealt with after he pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated in 2014.

York has been in charge of the 49ers for close to two decades. In 2008, he assumed day-to-day control of the team from his parents when he was named CEO. Then, in 2024, he purchased enough equity from his family to take over as the organization's principal owner.

San Francisco has made three Super Bowl appearances under York's supervision, except the franchise hasn't won it all since the 1994 season, well before the York family took control of the Niners in 2000.