DENVER — Hours before the Broncos’ fifth and final preseason game, a significant development unraveled regarding the Broncos’ ownership situation.

On Thursday, John E. Scipione, an Arapahoe County District Court Judge, dismissed Bill Bowlen’s lawsuit attempting to remove the three trustees in power of the Pat Bowlen Trust.

The trustees—Joe Ellis, the Broncos President and CEO, Rick Slivka and Mary Kelly—have been in power since Pat Bowlen stepped away from the team in 2014 due to his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease.

This judgment was even more significant as the case was dismissed in its entirety. According to a source, the ruling was a “huge” blow to the parties attempting to unseat the trust.

The trust, following Pat’s wishes, is in charge of identifying a qualified child to take over as owner of the team. If none of Pat’s seven children identify themselves as worthy, the trust can look to sell the team.

However, it’s clear Brittany Bowlen has emerged as a frontrunner in the eyes of the trust. Brittnay, 29, not only has her MBA from Duke and is currently working for McKinsey & Company, a world-renowned consulting firm, she is set to join the organization in a significant by the end of the season.

Thursday’s news was another step toward Brittnay taking over the team.