As the Broncos prepare to face the Patriots tonight, the team has issued a statement regarding the passing of the man from whom Pat Bowlen purchased the franchise in 1984.
Edgar Kaiser, a 69-year-old Canadian financier, died on a business trip in Toronto.
“On behalf of the Denver Broncos, I extend our sincere condolences to the family of Edgar Kaiser,” Bowlen said in a statement released by the team. “I have enormous appreciation for the opportunity Edgar gave me to become owner of this great franchise in 1984. Our deepest sympathies go out to Edgar’s family during this difficult time.”
“It is with great sadness that I learned of Mr. Kaiser’s untimely death,” V.P. of football operations John Elway said. “He was responsible for executing the trade that made me a Bronco, and I am forever grateful for everything he did for me. My thoughts are with the entire Kaiser family and his friends as they mourn their loss.”
Bowlen purchased Kaiser’s 60.8 percent of the team for $60.5 million. Kaiser, who bought the team in 1981, later sued Bowlen, claiming that Bowlen’s offer to sell 20 percent of the team to Elway violated Kaiser’s right of first refusal. Elway testified at the trial that he did not accept the offer because he did “not see a place for himself as an executive with the team.”