NFL Owner Uses Trust Transfer for Estate Planning Strategy

What Happened

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his siblings are transferring their 23.1% ownership stake in the NFL franchise to their children's trusts. According to an NFL memo obtained by USA TODAY Sports and circulated to club presidents on March 11, 2026, the transfer requires approval from the league's Finance Committee as part of standard estate planning procedures within NFL ownership circles.

The transaction involves Steve Tisch, Laurie Tisch, and Jonathan Tisch moving their inherited stake into separate trusts established for their children. Steve Tisch will remain as chairman of the board for the franchise despite the ownership transfer. The Giants requested the Finance Committee's approval for this intra-family stake transfer, which ESPN first reported as part of normal succession planning among NFL team owners.

The Tisch family's involvement with the Giants dates back to 1991 when their father, Preston Tisch, co-founded the Loews Corporation with his brother Laurence and purchased 50% of the team from the Mara family. More recently, the Mara and Tisch families sold 10% of the team to Julia Koch at a valuation of $10 billion, highlighting the substantial value of these ownership stakes being transferred through estate planning vehicles.

What It Means

This ownership transfer demonstrates how wealthy families use trust structures to manage succession planning for valuable assets while maintaining operational control. In New York, trusts offer significant advantages for estate planning, particularly when dealing with high-value assets like professional sports franchises. Transfers to trusts can be structured to avoid certain transfer taxes, and may not trigger property tax reassessments.

The structure allows the Tisch siblings to transfer ownership while Steve Tisch retains his role as chairman, illustrating how trust arrangements can separate beneficial ownership from management control. This approach helps families navigate the complex intersection of estate planning and business succession. New York's trust laws under N.Y. EPTL Article 7N.Y. EPTL Article 7Verified May 31, 2026 provide flexibility for such arrangements, though of trust establishment.

For families with significant assets, this type of transfer can help minimize estate tax exposure while preserving family control over valuable enterprises. With New York's state estate tax exemption at $7,350,000N.Y. Tax Law §§ 951–971Verified May 31, 2026 and the federal exemption at $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Jan 2, 2026, families owning assets worth billions must carefully structure transfers to avoid substantial tax liabilities. The trust structure also provides protection from creditors and can facilitate more efficient wealth transfer across generations.

Context from SimplyTrust

Trust-based estate planning strategies like the Tisch family's ownership transfer require careful consideration of state-specific requirements and tax implications. New York families establishing trusts must understand the state's notification requirements and creditor protection provisions. Proper creditor notice procedures and compliance with beneficiary notification rules help ensure trust validity and effectiveness.

For families considering similar strategies, understanding the interplay between state and federal estate tax exemptions becomes crucial when dealing with high-value assets. The combination of New York's 16%N.Y. Tax Law §§ 951–971Verified May 31, 2026 maximum state estate tax rate and federal rates can create substantial tax liabilities without proper planning. Trust structures offer one avenue for managing these exposures while maintaining family involvement in valuable enterprises.

Source: Giants owner in Epstein files, Steve Tisch, passing down NFL stake