Steve Tisch Spotted in Giants Draft Room Despite Ownership Transfer

Clear Facts

• Former New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch was seen in the team’s draft room Thursday night during the first round
• Tisch and his siblings are transferring their 23.1% stake in the Giants to trusts for their children
• The Giants selected offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 and linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 5

Cameras captured former New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch in the team’s draft room Thursday night during the first round of the NFL Draft. At one point, Tisch was seen standing near Giants head coach John Harbaugh.

Despite no longer holding a majority stake in the NFL franchise, Tisch remains the Giants’ chairman of the board. His presence in the draft room underscores his continued involvement with the storied franchise.

ESPN obtained an NFL memo last month detailing plans by Steve Tisch and his siblings to transfer their stake in the Giants to trusts for their children. The transfer represents a significant shift in the ownership structure of one of the league’s most historic franchises.

“Prior transfers to these Trusts were completed pursuant to 2023 and 2024 Finance Committee approvals. The Sellers now propose to transfer their entire remaining interests, totaling 23.1% of the Club, to the Trusts. … Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club.”

The timing of the transfer requests has raised questions. Tisch’s name appeared in documents released by the U.S. Justice Department in January, coming up more than 400 times in files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Tisch acknowledged knowing Epstein but denied visiting the convicted sex offender’s island. It remains unclear whether the ownership transfer is connected to these revelations.

As for draft night activities, the Giants made what some analysts viewed as an unconventional pick at No. 10, selecting offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa from Miami. The selection signals the team’s commitment to rebuilding their offensive line and protecting their quarterback.

Before that pick, the Giants added another piece to their pass rush, selecting hybrid edge/off-ball linebacker Arvell Reese from Ohio State at No. 5. Reese earned All-American honors and finished his first season as a full-time starter with 6.5 sacks.

Reese is set to join a formidable pass rush that includes Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and, likely, Kayvon Thibodeaux. The combination of these defensive talents could transform the Giants’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

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