DENVER -- Brittany Bowlen wants to become the controlling owner of the Broncos.
For the first time publicly, the 28-year-old daughter of Pat Bowlen made her goal clear on Saturday as she walked the red carpet at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation charity gala.
"Right now my father (Pat Bowlen) is the owner, but unfortunately he can't be there day-to-day. I do have ambition to one day become the controlling owner of the Denver Broncos," said Brittany Bowlen, who served as the co-chair of the "Be Yourself, Be Beautiful" fashion show. "I have that ambition and I will keep working toward that goal."
Brittany Bowlen is one of Pat Bowlen's seven children attempting to land the role. She has been considered the favorite for several months because of her educational background -- a bachelor's degree from Notre Dame, a master's from Duke University -- her stint working in the NFL offices and her current employment at McKinsey & Company Global Consulting.
As Pat Bowlen's health declined in his battle with Alzheimer's disease, he established a trust. The trust has has discretion on determining which of Bowlen's children meets the criteria of the succession plan. I asked Brittany Bowlen on Saturday what she loved about football given the passionate fan base's desire to understand her intentions.
"Gosh. For me football is about family. I grew up in this organization. I love my family. I love the impact the team has on the community, and I love the team and seeing how the team works together," Bowlen said. "I love watching the games. But I really love seeing the way the players work together and the lifelong connections they make."
Brittany Bowlen did not place a timeline on reaching her goal. She insisted that her consulting work was important, broadening her business experience outside of football. In May, the trust issued a statement revealing multiple children wanted to own the team. They responded to Beth Bowlen Wallace's desires to own the team with a strong rebuttal to her candidacy.
"The trustees have informed Beth of their determination that she is not capable or qualified at this time."
In a statement, the trust made clear that Bowlen Wallace's employment as Director of Special Projects for the team, a job she held from 2012-15, ended for a reason.
"We have communicated our decision to Beth and her lawyers on multiple occasions. She is also fully informed as to why her employment with the team ended in 2015."
Brittany Bowlen said Saturday her father remains stoic in his fight against Alzheimer's, and that she enjoys spending more time with him since graduating from Duke. Asked about Bowlen Wallace's actions several months ago, Brittany Bowlen remained diplomatic.
"I really can't speak for Beth. But what I do know is the way my dad laid out this trust is that all of my siblings have the right to pursue this goal," Brittany Bowlen said. "And I support them in that."
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
