NINERS NEW OWNER MAKES HIS FORMAL DEBUT

Over the past several years, ownership of the 49ers has been a moving target of sorts. As recently as 2002, Denise DeBartolo York was identifed by the NFL Record & Fact Book as the “owner,” with Dr. John York carrying the title of “owner’s representative.” In the 2003 edition of the league’s annual information book, each Yorks is identified as an “owner.” In subsequent years, The DeBartolo Corporation was also listed as an owner. As of the 2008 version of the Record & Fact Book, there’s a new ownership alignment. Joining Denise DeBartolo York and Dr. John York is their son, Jed York. The younger York is listed as “Vice President of Strategic Planning/Owner.” And as Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat points out, Jed York was the sole representative of ownership at Tuesday’s press conference introducing Mike Singletary as the new head coach. Also, Jed York was identified in Singletary’s bio as “owner.” The eldest child of the Yorks, who based on his online mugshot couldn’t buy a root beer without producing his learner’s permit, seems to be taking the reins of the franchise that his uncle and godfather, Eddie DeBartolo, made into a powerhouse nearly three decades ago. “I’ll continue to be a face of the ownership group, but that doesn’t mean that my mother and father are not a part of this,” Jed York said on Tuesday in remarks circulated by the team. Though the seeds of this one were planted last December, it seems that it’s now taking root. And if Jed York is anything like his godfather, this might be the best development since the Niners won their last Super Bowl nearly 14 years ago, when Jed was still in diapers.