Published: 21:51 BST, 5 September 2026 | Updated: 21:51 BST, 5 September 2026
Former NFL star Michael Irvin has jumped to the defense of embattled San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York after he was caught in a prostitution sting in Ohio.
York, who is worth $500 million, was arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution in East Palestine, Ohio at 9.35am on August 23 after allegedly attempting to pay a woman $140 for sex in a trailer park. After posting a $5,000 bond, he was released.
Court documents obtained by The Daily Mail reveal York, 46, 'arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140' after responding to an undercover ad placed on a known prostitution website by law enforcement.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has confirmed that the league are looking into the matter, but Hall of Famer Irvin insists the matter has been blown out of proportion.
During a livestream appearance, Irvin said: 'He got divorced 5-6 months ago so I'm like man, come on. Is that really a crime?
'Let that man go. Leave it alone. Everybody's paying for it. You take her out to eat, you're paying for it. Everybody's paying for it. So what are we doing?
Former NFL star Michael Irvin has jumped to the defense of embattled 49ers owner Jed York
San Francisco 49ers CEO York, 46, was arrested at a mobile home park in East Palestine, Ohio last month after cops said he was attempting to pay $140 for sex with a woman
York, 46, was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, and booked into Columbiana County Jail
'Why have we got to embarrass this man for 140 dollars? People think: 'You're a billionaire, why didn't you go to high end places?' The high end places get you in trouble all the time!'
Similarly to Irvin, former NFL star Shannon Sharpe also recently offered a passionate defense of the embattled San Francisco 49ers owner.
'Ain't nothing wrong with that,' Sharpe said. 'Come on, man. You think the man cause he's worth a billion dollars he don't want to wet his whistle?
'They the ones that got all the moves,' he insisted. 'Remember I told you, "She had more moves than a $100 hooker?" Them the ones that got the moves, the $5,000 ones don't do nothing but model.'
York was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. He was also fined $1,150.
