Edward DeBartolo Jr's Super Bowl ring. (Ewbank's via SWNS)
By James Gamble
A Super Bowl ring owned by one of the most successful team owners in NFL history is expected to fetch up to £30,000 (more than $40,000) at auction.
The diamond-studded championship ring belonged to former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.
DeBartolo Jr., who owned the team for 23 years, won five Super Bowls in 14 years — the most by any team in NFL history under one owner.
The ring, crafted in 10-karat gold and set with numerous diamonds, is being sold by Ewbank's Auctioneers and is expected to go for between £15,000 (more than $20,000) and £30,000 (more than $40,000).
The crown displays three miniature replicas of the famous Vince Lombardi Trophy, with each trophy topped with a diamond in the shape of an American football.
Billionaire Edward DeBartolo Jr. when he was the owner of the San Francisco 49ers. (Ewbank's via SWNS)
The central trophy, representing the 49ers' third Super Bowl win in 1989, when they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-16 in Miami, Florida, features a diamond set at its base.
The trophies are surrounded by 24 additional diamonds inlaid within a white-gold oval. A diamond is also set into each corner of the crown.
The face of the ring is engraved with "San Francisco" above the diamond oval, and "World Champions" below.
One side of the shank bears "DeBartolo," alongside the 49ers helmet and San Francisco.
The other side reads: "Team of the 80s," accompanied by the Super Bowl trophy, the game score, and the Roman numerals XVI and XIX — commemorating the franchise's other Super Bowl victories of the decade.
DeBartolo Jr., who owned the 49ers from 1977, was nicknamed The Godfather after winning five Super Bowls with his team.
Edward DeBartolo Jr's Super Bowl ring that is for sale. (Ewbank's via SWNS)
He is credited with changing the face of the NFL during his tenure at the 49ers, with his success based on treating players as family rather than tradable assets.
Recipients of Super Bowl rings are often given the option of purchasing another as a gift.
Such was the case with this ring, which was a gift from DeBartolo Jr.
Made with diamonds and 10K yellow gold, however, the gifted ring is made to the exact specifications as the Super Bowl ring awarded to DeBartolo Jr. himself and comes with a letter of authenticity from Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas.
The lucky seller won the ring in a "MrBeast $1 Million Whatnot Giveaway" on the morning of the 2026 Super Bowl final, in which American YouTuber MrBeast gave away a variety of prizes, including Lamborghini cars and Rolex watches.
The DeBartolo Jr. ring is expected to sell for between £15,000 ($20,285) and £30,000 (more than $40,000) on May 26.