New York Giants owner John Mara diagnosed with cancer

New York Giants owner John Mara announced he was diagnosed with cancer, according to a statement released Monday. Mara’s been the President and CEO of the team since 2005.

“I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and have been following the treatment plan recommended by an outstanding team of doctors,” Mara said in a statement. “I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome. I plan to remain active with the team throughout my treatment, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support – personally, professionally and medically. I ask that you respect my privacy and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Mara joined the Giants organization in 1991, serving as general counsel and later as executive vice president and chief operating officer, until his father Wellington Mara, the owner at the time, passed away in 2005. A graduate of Boston College College and a Juris Doctor recipient at Fordham, Mara’s been synonymous with the New York Giants.

Mara and Steve Tisch were at the forefront of planning and negotiations for MetLife Stadium, the current home of the Giants and New York Jets in the Meadowlands in New Jersey. The stadium opened in 2010 and also hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in February of 2014.

Mara and Tisch saw two Super Bowl titles in charge, Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, both wins over the New England Patriots. In Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning, Michael Strahan and Tom Coughlin upset the 18-0 Patriots 17-14, winning the franchise’s then-third title.

Mara’s faced criticism from Giants fans in recent years in the post-Manning and Coughlin era. Throughout the late 2010s, fans criticized him for his loyalty to longtime Giants employees and was also booed during Manning’s number retirement and Ring of Honor ceremony in September of 2021.

When Mara and the organization did the same for Strahan, he did not address the crowd that November. The owner was also questioned when he kept GM Dave Gettleman through the latter’s four year tenure and he eventually retired at the end of the 2021 season.

Mara hopes this current regime works out as head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen were put on the hot seat by most fans and pundits. But, there could be something cooking as rookie QB Jaxson Dart led the Giants to a victory over the 3-0 Los Angeles Chargers Sunday.