The team that Jed York owns has issued a statement regarding York’s recent arrest in Ohio.
Said the 49ers on Monday: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”
It’s quite a turn as to the usual practice of deferring comment as to a pending legal matter. The fact that the situation hasn’t been resolved provides the ultimate cover for silence.
The fact that this case has already been resolved means there’s no reason to say nothing. Other than the team doesn’t want to say anything.
It will be impossible to avoid it, especially with the 49ers heading to Australia to play the Rams in 17 days. Whether York goes or not, the incident will be the 600-pound kangaroo in the room.
Plenty of strategizing surely is occurring behind the scenes. The league may decide to suspend York (if a suspension is coming) before Week 1, so that he won’t be in Australia. The team likely is trying to figure out the right kind of profile for York to assume, both in the short-term and over the balance of the season.
Obviously, it’s an embarrassing situation. The specific factual allegations don’t make it any better.
While it’s surely not enough to get York to step aside for good, his best play likely will be to step aside for now.