What happened to the defense? Cleveland Browns Film Room
December 18, 2014Cavaliers Film Room: First Quarter Love
December 18, 2014Complete with a lede that includes the “Johnny Manziel money sign,” we have reports out of Columbus that city officials (clad in Browns gear) believe it’s only a matter of time before Cleveland Browns Training Camp heads south on I-71.
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Andrew J. Ginther and Franklin County Commissioner John O’Grady showed up at First Energy Stadium in Cleveland to make a pitch for Columbus to become home to the team’s new training camp. Coleman, an ardent Bengals fan, even wore Browns gear. The Browns are exploring a new home away from their current facilities in Berea, and the Columbus group offered financial incentives of an undisclosed amount to entice Browns owner Jimmy Haslam their way. It’s likely the city and county would support the Browns’ new facilities, if needed. Two sources at City Hall said the group left the Sunday meeting thinking it was “a matter of when, not if” the team announces its relocation to Columbus.
Before me-first Cleveland-based fans get all in a tizzy because they may have to drive to see the team which they have ALL SEASON to see in Cleveland, they should note that the team has long been looking into ways to win back a generation of fans that swapped their rooting interests for teams that actually win football games. It wasn’t all that long ago that we saw maps of Browns fans becoming a dying breed in Ohio as Columbus became infiltrated with Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers fans. The team has already ramped up their advertising in the market. Moving camp to Columbus would be a logical step in regaining some traction in that area, especially among younger fans who have yet to plant a flag in the ground with regard to a specific team.
Factor in that the Browns have seemingly outgrown Berea as a hosting complex, and a move is imminent. Columbus as an ultimate destination would make the most sense.
9 Comments
As a player I’d be annoyed about having to deal with and feeling at home in yet another residence.
the teams that put up their players in farther away places usually grab the college dorms from a nearby campus and take over for that time. so, it’s more a fraternity feel to camp that some franchises believe helps build team unity. I think Dallas goes the furthest (Oxnard, CA).
I completely understand why the Browns would go to Columbus, though they better do something about the soccer stadium advertisements for the local team there if that is where they play (the colors cannot be allowed).
however, I would prefer they end up in the Canton/Akron area. Lots of fans out that way and give them a way of flipping the script on which loyal fans have to travel to see the Browns for a bit.
Yeah, they’re in a hotel for all of training camp when in Berea. It wouldn’t be much of a change at all.
If the team has long been looking into ways to win back a generation of fans that swapped their rooting interests for teams that actually win football games, then a better way to do it would be to actually win football games.
I’m not sure how moving camp to Klumbs Aha is in and of itself going to win back very many people as long as we keep finishing out of the playoffs.
Has anyone pointed out that the Bengals, Steelers, and the Colts didn’t need to put a training camp in Columbus to generate interest in their teams. Maybe the Browns front office could call one of those teams and ask what their secret is (hint, they actually field competitive teams).
as Columbus ALL OF NORTHEAST OHIO became infiltrated with Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers fans
….fixed that for you.
DUDE. DONT WORRY, THEY DRAFTED THIS GUY THAT DOES THIS MONEY THING WITH HIS HANDS WHEN HE DOES SOMETHING ON THE FIELD… THE KIDS LOVE IT!!!
Considering the fandom levels in each city, even if everything else were true, ‘outgrowing’ Berea would still mean half-empty in Columbus, because most Browns fans live in (gasp) Cleveland.
theres plenty of browns fans in columbus…. a bunch… come on down… i made my way up there all these years….