NFL Team Owner Uses Trusts for $2 Billion Estate Transfer

What Happened

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his siblings Jonathan and Laurie Tisch announced plans to transfer approximately 23.1% of their remaining ownership stake in the NFL franchise to their children through separate trusts. The transfer, detailed in an internal NFL memo obtained by CNN on March 12, 2026, represents the final phase of a multi-year estate planning strategy that began in 2023.

The memo indicates this transaction completes a series of family estate planning transfers that have been ongoing for three to four years. Previous transfers to these trusts received approval from the NFL's finance committee in 2023 and 2024. Following these transactions, the Tisch siblings will no longer maintain any direct ownership interest in the Giants franchise.

The proposed transfer requires approval from the NFL's finance committee before implementation. Steve Tisch has been involved with the Giants since his father, Preston Robert Tisch, purchased 50% of the franchise in 1991. Steve assumed the role of executive vice president following his father's death and currently serves as co-owner alongside the Mara family.

What It Means

This high-profile estate transfer demonstrates sophisticated wealth preservation strategies that wealthy families use to minimize estate taxes and ensure smooth succession planning. The Tisch family's multi-year approach allows them to gradually transfer ownership while maintaining operational control during the transition period. By using separate trusts for their children, they create structured vehicles that can provide asset protection and tax advantages.

For New York residents with significant assets, this case highlights the importance of long-term estate planning strategies. New York imposes a state estate tax on estates exceeding $7,350,000N.Y. Tax Law §§ 951–971Verified May 31, 2026, with rates reaching 16%N.Y. Tax Law §§ 951–971Verified May 31, 2026. The federal estate tax exemption stands at $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Jan 2, 2026 per person, or $30,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Jan 2, 2026 for married couples. The Tisch family's gradual transfer strategy likely helps them maximize these exemptions across multiple tax years.

The use of trusts in this transfer provides several advantages beyond tax savings. Trusts can offer creditor protection for beneficiaries, ensure professional management of complex assets like sports franchises, and maintain family control over business operations. , ensuring transparency in the transfer process. The structured approach also allows the family to address potential disputes or complications before they become problematic, as trust terms can specify how decisions get made and how conflicts get resolved.

Context from SimplyTrust

While most families don't own NFL franchises, the principles behind the Tisch family's estate planning strategy apply to anyone with significant assets or family businesses. Creating trusts for children, implementing gradual transfer strategies, and coordinating state and federal tax planning represent core components of comprehensive estate planning. These strategies become particularly important for New York residents facing both state and federal estate taxes on larger estates.

For families considering similar approaches, professional guidance becomes essential when navigating complex asset transfers, trust structures, and multi-year planning timelines. The key lies in starting the planning process early, as the Tisch family demonstrated with their three-to-four-year timeline, rather than waiting until estate tax implications become imminent.

Source: New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and siblings look to transfer stake in team to their children | CNN