John Mara’s Cancer Diagnosis

John Mara, the 70-year-old president, CEO, and co-owner of the Giants, has recently been diagnosed with cancer.

As stated in a release on Monday afternoon, he is undergoing treatment. Mara expressed, “I was recently diagnosed with cancer and am following the treatment plan recommended by a team of outstanding doctors.” He added, “I feel strong and optimistic, and I am committed to seeing this with positive outcomes. I plan to continue to be active with my team during treatment and feel fortunate to be surrounded by incredible human, professional, and medical support.”

On Sunday, Mara was present at MetLife Stadium for the Giants’ first win of the season, despite the challenges of losing their first three games. They triumphed over the Chargers with a score of 21-18.

Unlike many NFL owners, Mara has a hands-on approach. He is regularly seen at the team’s facilities and remains in contact with general manager Joe Shane and head coach Brian Daball every day.

Details regarding the specific type of cancer, as well as its stage and severity, have not been disclosed at this time.

Mara, the eldest son of the late Wellington Mara—who was the franchise’s patriarch—comes from a long lineage with the team. His father, Tim Mara, purchased the franchise in 1925 for $500. John Mara himself holds a law degree from Fordham University Law School. He worked as a labor and employment lawyer before joining the Giants in 1991, eventually becoming the team president in 2005 following his father’s passing.

In 1990, the Tisch family acquired 50% of the Giants for $75 million. Currently, Steve Tisch co-owns the team alongside Mara. Recently, investor Julia Koch and other members of the Koch family have agreed to purchase a 10% minority stake in the franchise, which is valued at $10 billion.