Patrick Dennis Bowlen (February 18, 1944 – June 13, 2019) was an American lawyer, executive and the majority owner of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL), winning three Super Bowls.

Bowlen also worked as an executive for his father's company and as a real estate developer and had major investments in the mining industry.

[citation needed] Bowlen bought a majority interest in the Denver Broncos of the National Football League in March 1984 from Vancouver industrialist Edgar Kaiser Jr.[2] The purchase price was said to be $70 million, making the Broncos the highest-priced franchise in the league at the time.

Bowlen searched for a new head coach over a two-week period and eventually chose Josh McDaniels, who at the time was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

[14] On February 12, 2009, Bowlen appointed Brian Xanders as the team's sole general manager and fired Jim and Jeff Goodman.

Starting in 2010, Bowlen no longer played a major role in the Broncos' decision making, and Executive VP John Elway and President Joe Ellis assumed control.

On July 23, 2014, due to complications with Alzheimer's disease, he officially relinquished control of the team to Joe Ellis.

[16] On November 1, 2015, Bowlen was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame, earning him a bronze plaque that stands on the south side of Empower Field at Mile High.

He shared ownership with Denver-based sports mogul Stan Kroenke and legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway.

[8][21] Under terms set prior to Bowlen's death, Joe Ellis led a three-person trust representing his estate.