Joe Ellis

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ellis began his NFL career with the Denver Broncos as their director of marketing from 1983 to 1985. After obtaining his master's degree from Northwestern University in 1988, he served the league as vice president of club administration and stadium management. He rejoined the Broncos in 1998 as their executive vice president of business operations, a role he held for 10 years. In 2008, Ellis became the team's chief operating officer, maintaining that position for three seasons until January 5, 2011. After 13 years with the organization, he was promoted to team president. Following owner and previous president Pat Bowlen's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, Ellis took control of the team. In August 2022, Ellis stepped down from his position after the Walton Penner group was approved as the new owners of the Broncos.

In Their Own Story

Ellis's path to the top of the Broncos organization started in the marketing department in 1983. He left to earn his Master's Degree from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management in 1988, then worked for the league office. When he returned to Denver in 1998, it was as executive vice president of business operations, a job he held for a full decade. He then served as COO for three seasons before being named team president in 2011. When Pat Bowlen stepped away due to Alzheimer's, Ellis took control of the franchise. His tenure culminated in August 2022, when the Walton Penner group was approved as the new owners, and Ellis stepped down. He earned two Super Bowl rings as an executive with the team (XXXIII and 50) and was inducted into the Denver and Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame in 2017.

Reader's Guide

Ellis is a member of the Bush family through his mother Nancy Walker Bush Ellis, making him the nephew of former U.S. president George H. W. Bush and cousin of former U.S. president George W. Bush. He earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado College in 1980 and his Master's from Northwestern in 1988. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Ann, and they have three children: two sons, Si and Zander, and a daughter, Catherine. His career with the Broncos spanned from 1983 to 2022, with a break for graduate school and league office work. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion as an executive (XXXIII, 50).

Did You Know?

• Ellis was born on November 16, 1957.
• He earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado College in 1980.
• He obtained his Master's Degree from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 1988.
• Ellis was promoted to team president after 13 years with the organization.
• He stepped down in August 2022 after the Walton Penner group was approved as the new owners.