May 25, 2013

Browns Fans Attempting to Organize “Brown Out” (Update: Randy Lerner’s Comments)

October 29, 2009 by 41 Comments

browns fansMuch has been made about the Browns fan base that has been brutally subjected to this attempt at the game of football through 2009.  PSL’s lock you in, and the up front costs force most fans to try and get at least something for their money. 

And while I’m a bit surprised that something like this hasn’t gone down sooner, I applaud the efforts of two season ticket holders.

Mike Randall of Massillon and Tony Schafer of Sandusky, aka ”Dawg Pound Mike” and ”Mobile Dawg,” want the team they’ve worshipped for a lifetime to kick off on Monday Night Football on Nov. 16 against the Baltimore Ravens in an empty stadium.

Not empty for the entire game — just at kickoff, to voice their displeasure over the state of a team that offers them no hope. The Browns are 1-6 and have lost 12 of their past 13 games.

The two men hope to delay at least half the crowd from sitting down before the 8:30 p.m. start.

Most of you may know Randall as the guy who dressed up in a french fry costume as an homage to Charlie Frye.  Randall has reportedly met Randy Lerner in person, and like most others that have done the same, claims that no one wants to win more than he. 

I’m not sure how much more of “we need to do things better” Browns fans can deal with.  And while the thoughts of Randall and Schafer will likely make the rounds well before the mid-November game, it also gives the stadium workers plenty of time to thwart their efforts.

I can’t wait to see if these two men can get thousands of fans to listen, but after the horrid performance that we have all been given through the season thus far, let’s just hope that most of them are at least willing to listen. 

Update: Given the quickness in which this story circulated, Browns owner Randy Lerner commented on the protest via email.

”On the grounds of frustration and irritation with performance, then that’s the medicine I [we] are going to take, and I accept that. [...]

It’s been way too long since the Browns have had anything to feel good about or invest in, and it’s clear that the doubt and negativity are taking on a life of their own.

What I can say is that we, and I, have remained open to new and fresh ideas and thinking and people with passion for the Browns and football experience getting involved and with hope and luck and support, making a difference. We won’t become entrenched or stubborn and despite my allergy to be more conspicuous, I do remain eager to seek help and guidance from any and all corners.”

–

Fans Organizing a Brown-Out [Ohio.com]

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  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    Attention whores.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP Diesel

    The term “brown out” just sounds wrong to me.

    I’ll be at that game. I’m not sure if I will “brown out” or not.

    And wouldn’t it technically be an “orange out” since the seats are all orange?

  • MrCleaveland

    Come on fans, it’s a process. You don’t just zoom up to third place overnight. You need a couple years of drafting good special teamers before you can make that leap. It’s a process.

    Can’t you people ever be patient?

  • C

    this begs the question, would the NFL blackout a MNF game?

  • MuptheM

    Maybe ISIS is the invisible hand in the background making all the moves?

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    “this begs the question, would the NFL blackout a MNF game?”

    Yes. But there would then be a free replay following the game on NFL.com. You know, for all of those fans that long to stay up until 3am watching the Browns lose.

  • MrCleaveland

    @4 and @6

    Since the game’s on cable, local stations can bid on the rights to show it to non-cable subscribers in the area. Rizzo said that Channel 8 bought the local free TV rights, and there’s no way they’re gonna let it be blacked out. Channel 8 will see to it that it’s a sellout. I understand it’s pretty close to a sellout anyway.

  • Charles

    “Can’t you people ever be patient?”

    I’d say we’ve been pretty patient. I applaud the idea and if I was going to the game I would stand outside for the kickoff too.

  • TBrown

    @6 Seriously? Can the NFL blackout games contracted to ESPN? Or did I just miss sarcasm? I genuinely did not know this was possible.

  • CitizenTino

    The problem will not be getting people to show up late. It will be getting people to show up, period.

    “OK, guys, you can come in now! Guys? Guys….? Hello, anybody out there?”

  • Biff

    It would be better if, once everyone was inside the stadium, Randall and Schafer just played the “brown noise” and everyone spontaneously deficated.

  • Roy

    This is dumb. Randy knows everybody is pissed, Mangini knows everybody is pissed, and ESPN knows everybody is pissed. Why push something that is well known to all parties involved? This accomplishes nothing.

  • Jack

    CitizenTino – Logical prevails. No one is going to be there anyway. It’s cold; we’ll get killed. Sucks. Indians suck. Browns suck. Cavs suck. (Orlando is f-ing unstoppable, by the way).

    If people do show up on time we will successfully pull the half and half. They will leave by halftime, while the protesters enter at halftime.

    HAHA…I knew it would be bad this year; but who knew it would take a tag team effort by the fans to make it through the game!!!

  • Jeremy C

    I just hope they don’t play recorders and hit the “brown note.”

  • Bobby O’Brien

    The problem with this is they picked the wrong game. In an ideal world you would have people wait outside and since it is a nationally televised game, would get more exposure. However, its the only Monday night game were gonna have for a while, and the fireworks and extra buzz are things fans dont want to miss. It would be more effective to do it during a game later in the season, where tickets arent even sold out, thus making the effort an easier success.

  • Isis

    Roy @#12 is clueless. I not only commend these two Browns fans, but they are attempting to rally what would be the best thing that could happen IF you want things to get better. What Roy fails to grasp is that at it’s core, the is a BUSINESS. Randy Lerner’s bunker loyalty to NFL-wide hated Mangini doesn’t supercede EMPTY seats. If you serve lousy steaks but the house is packed every night-why bother to serve a good steak? Contrary to “Roy”-this message in this fashion is the only antidote to what will be a decade long malaise if Mangini is allowed to sabatage things beyond this year. Get with it, demand better, and understand that the time is now.

    Nothing speaks to the invisible man Lerner better than an empty stadium left with nothing but signs directed at management.

  • Isis

    To Bobby @#15 above-likewise, you need to understand it’s a business issue. Nothing will speak to LERNER (and that’s the audience) like a Monday Night embarrassment in front of the nation.

  • Joseph

    I’m not sure if anyone saw this or not but Lerner did respond to the alleged “brown out” that is planned.

  • Joseph

    Ahh well nevermind.. I didn’t notice in the original article there was a link to this article underneath the Cox picture. Whoops!

    $1,700 fine for me for posting unnecessary link.

  • ladawgfan

    What a MESS my beloved Browns are…. it’s nothing short of embarrasing, and has been for 10 years running. Bad coaching, bad drafting, bad luck… bad product. What do consumers do when they’re continuously confronted with an inferior product? They stop buying it.

    My misplaced loyalty has me questioning my intelligence every Sunday. Eternal hope is all I’ve got at this point…

  • Johnny P.

    I agree it would look bad on TV but for who? Most of those protest empty seats are paid for. It won’t hurt Lerner. If you really want to send a message don’t buy the tickets in the first place.

    Anyone read the comments on the ohio.com Lerner article? They are hilarious! Sell the team to Jim Brown? Have Bernie run the financial side of things?

    Silly….

  • jasonS

    To Isis @ #16, #17, etc, etc,….Seriously WTF, even if we landed cowher the record wouldn’t be that great, cut them some fing slack!! At least we don’t have tools like Al Davis and Dan Schnieder trying to run the team. I give Lerner credit for that much he knows enough to keep out of the decision making processes on the field.

  • BELIEVEland

    Isis, to put it bluntly, you’re an idiot.

    Lerner has made his money… all boycotting the first quarter would accomplish is A) embarrass the city of Cleveland on national television, and B) hurt the Stadium workers who count on sales commissions from food/beverage/merch to pay their bills.

    The Browns don’t run any of those operations inside the Stadium. It’s contracted out to third parties, and it’s the people who work for THEM that will get shafted if this so-called “brown-out” takes place.

    What does Lerner care if fans show up late? You know what… he doesn’t.

  • mendy

    @21 Jhonny:

    yeah, one of the comments said “send them back to baltimore.” …what??? the browns originated in baltimore? that’s news to me!

    Have you ever read an email or letter from someone that’s using really big words in the attempt to make themselves sound more important and much smarter than they really are? That’s what that sounds like. It’s like Lerner wants us all to know that he’s smarter than us and knows what he’s doing. I do applaud him for finally saying SOMETHING though!

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP Diesel

    I try to ignore it, but I’m curious:

    “…if Mangini is allowed to sabatage things beyond this year.”

    “sabatage”?? First of all, it’s spelled SABOTAGE.

    But that’s not important.

    What basis do you have for these accusations? Is Magnini’s coaching tenure going well thus far? No. But, to insinuate that he is INTENTIONALLY running this team into the ground… seriously?

    For what reason would he do this? What would he stand to gain? What possible good outcomes would result from Mangini ruining a franchise? He would never get a coaching job again. He would certainly not be in line for broadcasting work given his work with the press.

    So, Isis the all knowing, please explain to us WHY THE COACH WOULD INTENTIONALLY SABOTAGE THE TEAM.

    Seriously. You’re beyond delusional. Nobody lives in this world of personal vendetta that you describe. It’s beyond tired. Get a new freaking hobby.

  • mendy

    I can’t stand it, i know you planned it
    But i’m gonna set it straight, this brownie-gate
    I can’t stand rockin when i’m in here
    Because your crystal ball ain’t so crystal clear
    So while you sit back and wonder why
    I got his *darn* thorn in my side
    Oh my, it’s a mirage
    I’m tellin y’all its a sabotage

    …i’ve had billie jean stuck in my head all day, and this has finally fixed that problem! thank you DP!

  • Clown Baby

    Sincerely,

    Randy Lerner

    P.S. – Go Aston Villa!

  • http://clevelandsaplum.com alexa – cleveland’s a plum

    i sure hope the #3 comment was meant to be sarcastic.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    mendy wins the comments for today, even though Swig has such a cheery disposition.

  • DCBucks

    Isis calling the kettle black.

  • Neal

    Simple question – What is George Kokinis’ purpose/function?

    The Browns are a colossal disaster and they have done NOTHING to appease the fans. I support this brown out idea.

    Lerner gives the appearance of carelessness to us. Let’s give him a dose of his own medicine.

    Bitter,

    Neal in KC

  • TampaBrett

    Awesome..this will mean no more primetime or nationally televised games ever…

    and what will this do? nothing..

  • whipjacka

    If everyone sits out for the kickoff, they will miss the only good aspect of the Browns, Josh Cribbs.

  • Ryan S

    i like the idea.. but personally i would rather see no one BUY THE TICKETS.

    To all of those who say it wont hurt Randy Lerner.. you’re not quite right. It should send a message, at least. It would be the first “brown out” in browns history and it would certainly make him infamous for that.

    Juss sayin’

  • Jeremy

    I have been asking this question to Isis and SHOCKINGLY I haven’t got a response. Since, Isis, this is a business, why oh why would Randall pay Crennel, Mangini, and another coach for this team???? Not to mention he is still paying Savage to do nothing. STOP SAYING MANGINI IS ONE AND DONE-BOOK IT. Whether we like it or not Mangini is here to stay for a few years. As far as this Brown out, it does let everyone know we are upset. In all reality though what is going to change in the middle of the year? What is Mangini going to do this coming offseason that he wouldn’t do normally?

  • T2

    Isis grasps that the NFL is a BUISNESS when it come to dumping on the browns, but he fails to grasp that this is a buisness when we talk about how sitting Brady is a solid BUISNESS decision to save the Browns millions.

  • Jeremy

    I will lend Randy some help. SELL THE TEAM!!!!!!

  • Mark

    @ ISIS… You missed the analogy by quite a bit. Youre very clear in stating this is a BUSINESS. Then you miss the fact everyone is still going to pay for the steak. Hard to effect the bottom line taking a piss during a Cribbs run back.

    If you truly are upset you don’t go to the game. Then maybe if enough people do the same, that works. But I doubt it.

    This guy wants the camera on him when he comes back to his seat.

    @Denny…. wise as always, attention whores!

  • Glorious Basterd

    Maybe Rush should buy the team

  • Ak

    Wow, way to steal someone else’s content entirely. Pathetic.

  • Roy

    Isis is a retard. What he fails to grasp about a BUSINESS is that they require revenue to operate and if you have already paid for your ticket the team has already received the revenue. So really you accomplish NOTHING by being a paying customer and not sitting in your seat. Your steakhouse analogy does not apply to this situation because the people have already paid.

    Get a clue. Being a sanctimonious prick does not make you right.

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