Giants Co-Owner Steve Tisch Named in Epstein Files: What It Could Mean for the NFL
Steve Tisch, longtime co-owner of the New York Giants, is now facing serious scrutiny after his name surfaced in the Epstein files released Friday. According to the documents, Tisch allegedly relied on Jeffrey Epstein - the convicted sex offender - to arrange encounters with women.
Importantly, there’s no indication any of the women were underage. Still, the association with Epstein alone is enough to raise significant questions about Tisch’s future with the Giants and what, if anything, the NFL might do in response.
Tisch, who turns 77 next month, could choose to step away from the organization entirely - either voluntarily or under pressure from within the franchise, including from co-owner John Mara. But if he doesn’t, the situation could land squarely on the desk of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
The league hasn’t commented publicly. Neither the Giants nor the NFL responded to requests for comment following the release of the Epstein-related documents. But given how the league has handled ownership controversies in the past, there’s a precedent for action - even if each case is unique.
Let’s take a look at how the NFL has dealt with other ownership-related issues over the years and what that might tell us about what comes next.
A Look at NFL Ownership Discipline: Past Precedents
Daniel Snyder - Commanders
Perhaps the most high-profile ownership fallout in recent memory, Daniel Snyder sold the Washington Commanders in 2023 for a staggering $6.05 billion.
The sale came amid mounting pressure from other owners and a slew of investigations. The league fined Snyder $60 million for sexual harassment and withholding league revenue - a culmination of years of dysfunction, toxic workplace allegations, and financial misconduct.
Snyder owned the team outright, so his exit was definitive. Tisch, on the other hand, is part of a broader ownership group. Even if he steps aside, the Tisch family - likely led by his brother Jonathan - could still retain significant control over the Giants.
David Tepper - Panthers
Tepper was fined $300,000 in 2023 after a bizarre incident in Jacksonville, where he was caught throwing a drink at a Jaguars fan.
It wasn’t criminal, but it was a public act that embarrassed the league. The fine served as a reminder that NFL owners are expected to uphold a certain standard of behavior, even in heated moments.
Jerry Jones - Cowboys
The ever-colorful Cowboys owner was fined $250,000 last season for flipping off fans during a game at MetLife Stadium.
While the moment went viral, the league didn’t let it slide. The fine was swift and sent a message - even the most powerful owners aren’t above the rules.
Bud Adams - Titans
Adams had his own middle-finger moment back in 2009, when he directed the gesture at the Bills’ bench from his suite.
The NFL hit him with a $250,000 fine. Again, not criminal, but not something the league wants as part of its public image.
Jim Irsay - Colts
In 2014, Irsay faced more serious consequences after pleading guilty to driving while impaired.
The NFL suspended him for six games and fined him $500,000. That punishment reflected the league’s stance on off-field legal issues - especially when they involve criminal behavior.
Jerry Richardson - Panthers
Richardson’s exit from the NFL was accelerated by a league investigation into sexual and racial misconduct within the Panthers organization.
He was fined $2.75 million in 2018, and though he had already announced plans to sell the team, the league’s investigation and fine underscored the seriousness of the allegations. It also showed how quickly the NFL will act when workplace culture crosses the line.
Eddie DeBartolo - 49ers
DeBartolo’s fall came in the late ’90s after he pleaded guilty in a corruption case involving former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards.
He received probation and a $1 million fine, and the NFL barred him from controlling the 49ers for a year. That effectively ended his run as owner, even though he didn’t sell the team immediately.
What Could Happen with Tisch?
The NFL has shown that it will act when owners are involved in conduct that reflects poorly on the league - whether it’s criminal, controversial, or simply unbecoming of someone in such a high-profile position. The key factors tend to be the nature of the offense, public reaction, and whether the issue becomes a distraction for the team or the league.
Tisch’s situation is complicated. There’s no suggestion of criminal wrongdoing in the newly released documents, and no indication of involvement with underage individuals.
But the association with Epstein - even peripherally - is enough to raise eyebrows. And in today’s NFL, where image and accountability matter more than ever, that may be enough to prompt a response from the league office.
Whether that comes in the form of a fine, a suspension, or internal pressure to step aside remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, the NFL won’t ignore this for long.