RK Pittsburgh Steelers Minority Owner & LendingTree Founder Doug Lebda Dies in a Heartbreaking ATV Accident — Sending Shockwaves Through the NFL and Business World
The sports and business worlds are mourning the sudden loss of Doug Lebda, founder and CEO of LendingTree and minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who died over the weekend in a
fatal ATV accident on his family farm in North Carolina. He was 55 years old.
LendingTree confirmed Lebda’s death in an official statement Monday, describing him as a visionary leader who transformed how millions of Americans access financial services.
“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation, and passion transformed the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” the company said. “His passion will continue to inspire us as we move forward together.”
Born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Bucknell University, Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after facing difficulties securing his first mortgage. That experience led him to create a digital marketplace where banks could
compete directly to offer better loan terms to consumers.
He launched the company online in 1998, and by 2000, LendingTree had gone public on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol
TREE, revolutionizing the lending industry and helping millions find financial freedom.
In 2019, Lebda extended his entrepreneurial spirit into the NFL, purchasing a 5% ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers
from David Tepper, now owner of the Carolina Panthers. A lifelong Steelers fan, he called the move both a smart business decision and a personal dream fulfilled.
“It’s a good investment,”Lebda said at the time. “But it’s also an amazing opportunity to be part of what I think is one of the best organizations in the world.”
Details surrounding the ATV crash have not been released, but tributes have poured in from across the business and sports communities, honoring Lebda’s innovation, generosity, and lifelong devotion to excellence.
Doug Lebda leaves behind a legacy of vision, determination, and impact — a man who not only reshaped personal finance but also lived every day with the same fearless spirit that defined his success.
