Updated, 2:40 p.m.: Fox 8 News Cleveland reports that Randy Lerner will sell his controlling interest in the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner has confirmed rumors that he is in negotiations with a potential investor, Jimmy Haslam.
According to a release on the Browns' website, Haslam is “interested in making an investment in the Cleveland Browns.”
Crain’s Cleveland Business reports that it is not clear whether the move would make Haslam a majority or minority owner in the team if it goes through. But Fox 8 reported Friday that team president Mike Holmgrem has confirmed that Lerner is selling controlling interest in the Browns.
According to the release from the Browns, Lerner and Haslam plan to keep details of the negotiations private and will try to prevent it from disrupting the organization or the team.
Cleveland.com has some details on Haslam, the president of Pilot Flying J and a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have a Q and A with Haslam on its website, where Haslam reports that he is “1,000 percent a Steelers fan!” (Um, should Browns fans be worried?)
What do you think will happen as these negotiations move forward? Would you like to see the Browns under new ownership or do you think Lerner has been doing a good job? Tell us in the comments.
Uhh...what?!? You're not getting what I was writing. I don't care who paid for what when. That's irrelevant to my comments. People were buying tickets and flocking to the stadium for almost a decade after they returned. It was only until recently that people in NEOhio started to get wise and stopped going. Anyone who has remotely paid attention to the NFL in the US knows how die-hard NE Ohio is for football. It's obvious you're not aware of the contract the city has with the NFL & the Cleveland Browns organization. They aren't going to be leaving Cleveland anytime in the near future (I see us losing the Indians first, to be honest). You can bank on it. Fans in this town always had excuses why season after season they continued to fork out good $$ for a crappy product. Meanwhile, the Indians have a 5 game losing streak and people abandon the Tribe. "Oh, we're a football town". A town full of excuse-making fools.
Haslam will have to sell his interests in the Steelers.
I'm a Cubs fan. Good Luck with that.
he says he is a "1,000% stillers fan" ? GOOD - stay TF out of Cleveland We are NOW, finally, making progress, without any help from pi_ _ burg, and this guy is coming in here to be another monkey wrench in the train wreck Modell left behind? We don't need any "yinzers" in C-town, including the over-rated Billy boy Cowher, to cause us start us all over AGAIN!
1. Try lightening up. If you have you ever heard anyone born and raised in Pittsburgh refer to the NFL football team there, trust me - is is "stillers" (the lower case is mychoice ;-)). 2. I am a season ticket holder and I am well aware of what short comings Lerner and those around the team have. The BIGGEST problem Lerner has foisted on the Browns is the constant, incessant change of leadership, both in the front office and on the field. This is not to say some changes were not necessary, but at the same time, there has been no consistency of any program direction since the Browns returned. 3. If you want to criticise something, you really should do some research on the subject you are addressing. The Browns have NEVER officially had a dog for their logo. By the way - did I spell "yinzer" correctly? or did you not feel like looking that up either. 4. I HAVE written Randy Lerner - so what? it is a Forum Linda. Does that mean I am not allowed to comment here? 5. I have some good friends who are stiller fans. The have the class to understand that Modell did to this city has nothing to do with the rivalry between the Browns and the stillers - in other words, they don't hang around sports forums hoping they can make an ignorant comment about Browns fans
I beleive what happened is that Mayor White was so afraid if the Browns name and colors were transferred with the team, that the public would not support the new team. Personally, though, now, I think that ship has sailed, Anthony. I think before the Browns name and logos, etc, are retired, we need to redeem our former greatness, win at least one SB. After that, if and when the team goes in such putrid state as it has been for 11 years, and there is a new owner, then I would support your suggestion again.
you are just digging yourself a deeper hole. The reference to the Browns as dogs, (or "Dawgs") never appeared anywhere until the mid 80's. The original term was begun by Hanford Dixon and Frank Minifield when fans in the Bleachers could hear them "barking" at the opponents they were covering. Hanford Dixon, drafted in 1981, is the one who, with Minnifiedl in '84, referred to bleachers as the Dawg Pound becuase the fans there began to also chant "woof - woof", etc, along with Dixon and Minnifield. Sorry, Linda if you think your age, and being a fan for years, counts over actual facts, but the Dog image has never appeared on ANY official licensed Browns or NFL gear, stationary or helmet until then,and in reality, officialy not until the teamcame back because Modell would not allow it. I elieve there may have been a year when he allowed others to use it, but then threatened to sue. People who produced apparel and such have no license to the helmet have taken to making several style "Dawg" insignia's for their clothing - people love them and I have at least three different style dogs on hats and shirts - but they ar enot in any way official Browns or NFL logo's. Again - I suggest you find some facts before you make statements and represent them to be factual. Glad your Grandma is still a great Browns fan at 90. So is my Father -in-law at 93!
you are just digging yourself a deeper hole. The reference to the Browns as dogs, (or "Dawgs") never appeared anywhere until the mid 80's. The original term was begun by Hanford Dixon and Frank Minifield when fans in the Bleachers could hear them "barking" at the opponents they were covering. Hanford Dixon, drafted in 1981, is the one who, with Minnifiedl in '84, referred to bleachers as the Dawg Pound becuase the fans there began to also chant "woof - woof", etc, along with Dixon and Minnifield. Sorry, Linda if you think your age, and being a fan for years, counts over actual facts, but the Dog image has never appeared on ANY official licensed Browns or NFL gear, stationary or helmet until then,and in reality, officialy not until the teamcame back because Modell would not allow it. I elieve there may have been a year when he allowed others to use it, but then threatened to sue.
Its just nice to see SOMEONE who wants to invest in Cleveland. Period. Will he do better? Unknown. But his money might just help our "maybe next year" team.