Philadelphia, PA — The Philadelphia Eagles community is mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Doug Lebda, minority owner of the Eagles and founder and CEO of LendingTree, who tragically passed away in a fatal ATV accident over the weekend on his family farm in North Carolina. He was 55 years old.
LendingTree confirmed Lebda’s death in a public statement on Monday, calling him a leader whose bold vision reshaped the financial world.
“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 wrote. “His legacy and energy will continue to inspire us every day.”
A native of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and graduate of Bucknell University, Lebda built LendingTree from the ground up in 1996, after facing frustrations while trying to secure his first mortgage. That experience inspired him to create a revolutionary platform connecting borrowers directly with multiple lenders — letting banks compete to offer the best rates and terms.
The company launched online in 1998 and became a Wall Street success story when it went public on NASDAQ in 2000 under the symbol TREE, redefining the way Americans approach personal finance.
Lebda later brought that same spirit of innovation and loyalty to the Philadelphia Eagles, joining the ownership group in 2019. A lifelong Pennsylvania native and die-hard fan, he viewed his investment not just as a business move but as a tribute to his roots and love for the team.
“It’s a smart investment,” Lebda said in 2019. “But more than that, it’s an honor to be part of one of the most passionate organizations and fanbases in all of sports.”
Authorities have not released further details about the ATV crash, but tributes have poured in from Eagles executives, NFL colleagues, and the business community, all remembering Lebda as a visionary, a mentor, and a man who never stopped believing in the power of ideas.
Doug Lebda’s legacy endures — as an innovator who changed how millions manage their finances, and as an Eagle whose heart and ambition embodied the city he loved.
