The Pittsburgh Steelersorganization and the financial world are mourning the tragic loss of Doug Lebda, a minority owner of the Buccaneers and the visionary founder and CEO of
LendingTree, following a fatal ATV accident over the weekend on his family property in North Carolina. He was 55 years old.
LendingTree confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement Monday, paying tribute to his remarkable legacy as a transformative leader in both business and life.
“Doug was a visionary leader whose relentless drive, innovation, and passion reshaped the financial services landscape, touching the lives of millions of consumers,” the company wrote. “His energy and vision will continue to guide us forward.”
Born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Bucknell University, Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after his own frustrating experience trying to secure a mortgage. That personal challenge inspired a groundbreaking idea — creating a
digital marketplace where lenders could compete to offer consumers the best possible deals.
Under his leadership, LendingTree went live in 1998 and quickly revolutionized the way Americans borrow money. By
2000, the company went public on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TREE, cementing its status as one of the early pioneers of fintech innovation.
Lebda joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ ownership group in 2019
, acquiring a minority stake that reflected not only his entrepreneurial vision but also his growing passion for football. He often described the Buccaneers as “a franchise built on resilience, drive, and heart — the same qualities that built LendingTree.”
Authorities have not yet released full details about the accident, but tributes have poured in from across the NFL and the business world. Buccaneers co-owner and executives called Lebda “a man of vision and integrity whose leadership and compassion inspired everyone around him.”
Doug Lebda’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void — in Tampa Bay, in the world of finance, and among all who admired his entrepreneurial spirit. His story remains a powerful reminder of what innovation, courage, and human connection can achieve —
both on and off the field.
