May 22, 2013

Official Statement from Randy Lerner with Regard to Rumored Browns Sale

July 27, 2012 by 44 Comments

In connection with current rumors and press inquiries, I can report that I’ve been approached by Mr. Jimmy Haslam, who is interested in making an investment in the Cleveland Browns. We are currently in negotiations and both sides have agreed to keep that dialogue and its details private. Given that any transaction would require League approval, care has been taken so that this process will not be disruptive to the organization, in particular the football team, as it prepares for the upcoming season. We will share further details or make an announcement if it becomes necessary.

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There is a raging debate on what exactly an “investment” is, rangjng from minority stake to outright ownership. The rumor, as far as we can trace back, started on WKNR 850AM’s morning show, but rumors also circulated on June 7 that were subsequently refuted by Browns Public Relations. Jim Haslam is an 81-year-old philanthropist and business man who is best known for founding the Pilot Corporation, the travel center and convenience store chains.

[Related: So Jimmy Haslam Could Invest in the Browns?]

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  • BuckeyeDawg

    Wikipedia says that Jimmy Haslam is the current CEO of Pilot…and is also owns a minority stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers. For what it’s worth.

  • Mark

    I though it wasn’t Haslam Sr but his 55 year old son. It’s hard to see this as a minority investment. It probably for the whole truckload.

  • NamedMyKidPrice

    Sell to an 81 year old so he can then turn and give it to his son who doesnt give a rip…. Sound familiar?????

  • BuckeyeDawg

    Truckload. I see what you did there…

  • NeedsFoodBadly

    There seems to be a difference between Jim Haslam and Jimmy Haslam, his son. I assume the latter is the investor/possible buyer.

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    Wait, I thought that the team was not going to be sold. Didn’t Lerner say that and didn’t everyone else say that, besides some online posters and some radio hosts, who were quickly hushed and told to shut up.

    Weird.

  • neoyng

    If hes a good owner do we turn our heads at all his shady business/political dealings? if the browns are for sale did lerner look into any other potential buyers? This guy this family seems to shady

  • RGB

    I assume negotiations are happening in England where his precious Aston Villa is preparing to start the EPL season. FWIW they think he’s a putz, too.

  • CharlotteBrownsBacker

    This is not good. People seem to forget that there are lots of people dying to put a team in L.A. Say what you want about Lerner, but one thing’s certain: as long as he owns this team, they’re not going anywhere. Who knows what will happen if there’s a new owner, particularly one with no ties to the team or the city?

  • MrCleaveland

    For what it’s worth, Randy supposedly promised his father that he’d see this thing through to success.

    I would have thought that Lerner was just selling a chunk of shares, but the fact that he did not specifically deny that he is selling the team is telling.

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    Also, didn’t Randy say he was “all-in” for this team, and that it was his focus, and that he lived here more than in jolly ole’ England?

    I feel like we can’t believe anything anyone says. Which is fine. But then maybe this site should be the first to simply not report the quotes of owners and coaches as fact, but rather as spurious opining.

  • Jack

    I think there are several candidates ahead of the Browns in that conversation. And looks like they have ties to middle parts like TN and PA…and we’re talking truck stop people, not “internet money.”

  • mgbode

    who grew up a Cowboys fan, then became a Colts fan, then bought part of the Steelers

  • mgbode

    it says “investment” it does not say majority or minority stake. i don’t know which one he is trying to make either, but it’s definitely cloudy at this point.

  • mgbode

    of course, that’s Jr. also not clear in above statement is if it’s 81yo Sr. or 55yo Jr. I would think it’d be Junior making a bid, no?

  • CharlotteBrownsBacker

    True, I’d say it’s more likely that Minnesota, Jacksonville, San Diego or Buffalo (in that order) are more likely, but the point is that with Lerner as owner, the Browns weren’t even on this list, but with a new owner it’s a real possibility, which is troubling.

    As for money, don’t forget whoever moves there won’t have to build a stadium, as AEG has already agreed to finance and own Farmers Field. Also, I’d think a team would stand to make a bit more money in the top-five market of L.A. than in Cleveland.

    Here’s hoping the NFL at least has the heart to not do that to our city again.

  • BuckeyeDawg

    Yes, I am referring to Jr. And my only source so far is Wikipedia, so take that for what it’s worth…

  • BuckeyeDawg

    It would be quite….interesting…for there to be a guy who is part owner of the Browns AND the Steelers.

  • Mike

    81yo is Jr, 55yo is III and minority owner of Steelers

  • mgbode

    that is not allowed by NFL rules. he would have to be selling his minority stake in the Steelers to buy any piece of the Browns. i assume it would be for a bigger stake (though not necessarily a majority one).

  • mgbode

    I apologize. Thanks.

  • Clown Baby

    Does this mean we’re going to get showers in the stadium bathrooms?

  • mgbode

    and another “III” loosely associated with Cleveland sports. we’ll see if this one sticks unlike the last 2 rumors (RGIII and PJIII). is this guy from Baylor too?

  • stryker1121

    Can’t say I know how this works exactly, but wouldn’t the NFL vet this guy to ensure he’s not going to move the team?

  • mgbode

    Minny got a new stadium deal. So, they are off the list.
    JAX has a pretty iron-clad lease. They are on the list, but the city of JAX would get a HUGE check.
    Wilson is still kicking, so the Bills are Buffalo-bound (and hopefully remain so).

    SD has a soon expiring lease, poor stadium condition, and a fanbase that might travel to LA anyway. I’d say they are first on any LA list.

  • CharlotteBrownsBacker

    Why would they? The NFL wants a team in L.A. just as much as a potential owner would.

  • BuckeyeDawg

    OK then, I am referring to III, not Jr. My mistake.

  • Tron

    Are you allowed to own shares of 2 different teams? I thought they didn’t let that happen. Even if it was his son who owned part of the Steelers, I’d think no one in your immediate family could own another team.

  • CharlotteBrownsBacker

    Good call, didn’t do my homework. I knew Minnesota was trying to get a deal, didn’t realize it was completed. I know nothing about the Jaguars’ lease, but I did see that KHAAAN was pretty adamant that he would keep them in Jax. And yeah, as long as Wilson’s around, Buffalo’s not going anywhere, but I mean how much longer can that be? I’m with you though I hope they find a way to stay as well.

    So let’s hope it’s SD!

  • stryker1121

    B/C it would be a huge black eye on the league. Moving a team w/ one of the league’s most loyal followings twice in 10 yrs? Never gonna happen. I know we love to worry about sh*t but this is ridiculous.

  • stryker1121

    There’s a leap-and-a-half. Cynicism is so boring.

  • BuckeyeDawg

    I didn’t think about that. That’s actually very telling. I can’t think of any reason why it would make sense for him to make a “lateral” move from minority owner in PIT to minority owner in CLE. It sounds likely that this move would be for majority ownership.

  • mgbode

    no worries, lots of moving parts.

    i’m hoping Buffalo can figure out something with Toronto to keep the team between those 2 cities. seems to be their best hope.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Oh those poor die hard Browns fans whatever will they do if anyone associated with the Steelers becomes involved in ownership. Kinda funny when you think about it.

  • mgbode

    you get more say the more you move up the ladder – along with better overall profits (and a better shot at becoming majority owner someday). i don’t know his stake in the Steelers, but if he could improve it decently (5%-15% or something along those lines), then I could definitely see him making the move.

  • floydrubino

    The team isn’t going anywhere. I don’t care who we sell it too listen to what a d-head Lerner is in his statement. The team was brought back to cleveland in an unprecedented fashion by the fans and this guys approach to us has been so disrespectful that it is comical. This statement screams out what a jerk this guy is even if it was put out by his people. Yes we deserve to be left in the dark and not have any information. The only way it will truly effect the team is if you drop it on us like a bombshell. I hope he sells it all because he fits in well with English people drinking tea at noon. He’s not the championship starved hungry owner that views the browns as a matter of pride on how he conducts his business. Listen to his first name, Randolph. He is like one of those 2 old dudes from the movie Trading Places with Eddie Murphy. He is so out of touch on what it takes to build a winner because everything was given to him and he doesn’t know how to start from scratch. I can’t stand him because for the last 10 years or so he has had no commitment for building a winner for the fans which is why you have the team anyway.

  • Steve

    Most loyal followings – and yet we fill up a smaller percentage of the stadium than Jacksonville. And it’s been a bit more than 10 years since they moved. Sure, we may not be the first candidate to move to LA, but the NFL isn’t going to be too picky, and besides why should the NFL as a whole care about the declining, town of Cleveland that is just getting poorer? In a free market, teams would be moving from places like Cleveland to LA in an instant.

  • Garry_Owen

    Maybe he figured that “seeing it through to success” means “selling,” since he obviously couldn’t find success while he was in charge.

  • cmm13

    I am not one for saying “never”, but the NFL would never allow the Browns to be moved again.

  • MrCleaveland

    Garry, what are you talking about? We’ve finally turned the corner. This is IT! We’re on the rise.

    Here, drink some of this . . .

  • cmm13

    That was Holmgren quoted saying he was “all in”.

  • DontbringLBJback

    You need to get one of those Clevelander Bar t-shirts that says: “I’m a Cleveland Sports Fan. Let’s get drunk!” :-)

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    Joe Haden is a III

  • MrCleaveland

    Not me, DB. My only vice is Orange Kool-Aid. I’ve been nipping for a few weeks now. By the time the opener rolls around, I’ll be all sloppy and incoherent. Six weeks later, I sober up and swear off the stuff until the next summer.