Gideon Yu | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1971-05-14)May 14, 1971 (age 54) |
| Education | University School of Nashville Stanford University (BS) Harvard Business School (MBA) |
| Occupation(s) | Co-owner and Former President of theSan Francisco 49ers |
| Spouse | Susie Yu (korean:민혜정) |
| Children | Jonathan and Emily |
Gideon Lee Yu (born May 14, 1971)[1] is an American technology, media and sports investor, executive and advisor.
Yu is currently a co-owner of theSan Francisco 49ers football team. He was previously the team president.[2] In 2012, Yu became the first president of color in the history of theNational Football League.[3] Prior to his career in professional sports management, Yu was a high-technology executive, most notably as the chief financial officer of bothFacebook[4] andYouTube[5] as well as the senior vice president and treasurer ofYahoo.[6]
Yu graduated from theUniversity School of Nashville in 1989, where he was student body president and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011.[7] He then attendedStanford University, majoring inIndustrial Engineering and Engineering Management and received hisMBA fromHarvard Business School. In 1989, he received the First Place Grand Award in Environmental Science at the 40th International Science and Engineering Fair.[8]
In his time with the 49ers, Yu led the team's efforts in financingLevi's Stadium, including securing an $850 million stadium construction loan, the largest ever in professional sports, a $200 million financing package from the NFL and the largest long-term stadium financing in NFL history. Yu also directed the 49ers drive to accelerate the opening date of Levi's Stadium from the 2015 to 2014 season.[9] Perhaps the most notable distinction during Yu's tenure at theSan Francisco 49ers, however, is that he is the first president of color of any team in the history of theNational Football League. He currently resides inLos Angeles.[3]
Prior to joining the San Francisco 49ers football team, Yu was aGeneral Partner atKhosla Ventures,[10] where he led the firm's investment inSquare and was the founding outside board member (Yu's board seat was later transferred toVinod Khosla).[11]
Previously, Yu was thechief financial officer ofFacebook.[12] Upon Yu's hiring, Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, speaking with the Wall Street Journal, said: "I consider it kind of a coup that we were able to recruit him here."[13] Yu led the $375 million investment round[14] fromMicrosoft and Hong-Kong billionaireLi Ka Shing[15] at a then record $15 billion valuation. Zuckerberg further noted to the Wall Street Journal about Yu, "He's just excellent."[13]
Before Facebook, Yu was a partner atSequoia Capital,[16] and was also the chief financial officer atYouTube[5] where he negotiated[17] its $1.65 billion sale[18] toGoogle amidst a competitive auction for the company.
Prior to YouTube, Yu was thetreasurer and senior vice president of Finance forYahoo[19] where he executed over 30 acquisitions/investments for Yahoo, includingAlibaba,Taobao,Overture,Inktomi,Flickr,del.icio.us and over $5 billion of capital markets transactions. Prior to Yahoo, Yu was the chief financial officer of NightFire Software (acquired byNeuStar, NYSE: NSR) and held positions atDisney,Hilton, andDLJ /CSFB.[20]
Yu serves on the board of trustees of theMonterey Bay Aquarium[21] and the board of directors ofTipping Point Community.[22] Yu is also active philanthropically at his alma mater,Stanford University, where he "made a significant commitment to undergraduate scholarships" and "is volunteering as a member of the School of Engineering Advisory Council and the School of Earth Sciences Task Force."[23] He previously served on the boards of directors of theUCSF Medical Foundation,[24] and BUILD.[25]