The Denver Broncos have filed a lawsuit against ROFR Holdings following the company’s claim that it holds “any and all Rights of First Refusal” regarding a potential team sale.
According to the Canadian company, Edgar Kaiser, who sold the team to Pat Bowlen in 1984 for $78 million, placed the rights of first refusal with ROFR — part-owned by Kaiser’s estate — before his death.
The Broncos’ lawsuit claims the rights weren’t legally transferred, are no longer valid, and that the personal contract ended when they both died — Kaiser in 2012 and Bowlen in 2019.
Kaiser himself previously lost two other rights of first refusal.
- One to sell 10% of the team to president of football operations and former Broncos quarterback John Elway — the sale didn’t happen anyway
- Another over sales between Bowlen and his siblings
If the Broncos win the lawsuit, it’ll be easier to sell the team, which reached a $3.75 billion valuation this year.
Not On The Market?
Before his death, Bowlen placed the team in a trust in which the trustees would decide who would be the next controlling owner — one of his children or an outside party.
Despite not officially being up for sale, there have reportedly been conversations about potential new owners, including two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning.
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26465842_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26636703-scaled-e1770932227605.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
