Tag: Jimmy Haslam

Jimmy Haslam officially purchases stake in the Milwaukee Bucks

Jimmy Haslam has purchased an ownership stake in his third professional franchise.

Usually, all of the news comes out after the NFL Scouting Combine. However, Jimmy Haslam, the owner of the Cleveland Browns, has now purchased stake in his third professional franchise as he is now a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. In addition to the Browns and the Bucks, the Haslams are also part-owners of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew as well.

No financials have been released on the deal with the Bucks, but the franchise was last sold in 2014 for $550 million. If Haslam is purchasing a 50 percent stake, then $225 million feels like the floor as the Bucks have most certainly gained value in the decade since they were last sold. Hopefully, this means he is less involved with the Browns.

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Jimmy Haslam in ‘serious talks’ to become a co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks

The Haslam Sports Group may be extending into a third sport.

He already owns the Cleveland Browns and is a part-owner of the MLS’s Columbus Crew, and now Jimmy Haslam and the Haslam Sports Group are in “serious talks” to expand their ownership into the NBA. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Haslam Sports Group is on the verge of purchasing a large stake in the Milwaukee Bucks.

Looking to buy out the shares of current part-owner Marc Lasry, Haslam would join Wes Edens as the second co-owner of the Bucks if the purchase were to go through. Hopefully, we get to the point where Haslam has to become less hands-on with the Browns as he continues to diversify his portfolio.

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What passing game specialists could the Browns, Kevin Stefanski target in 2023?

Jimmy Haslam wants a vertical passing attack and wants to bring someone in who can make that happen. Here are a few potential names.

Multiple NFL insiders have stated that Kevin Stefanski is safe as the Cleveland Browns will bring him back in 2023. However, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones has stated that owner Jimmy Haslam may push for Stefanski to add an air raid specialist to his staff to meld his elite run game with a more explosive passing attack in 2023.

This could mean some turnover at quarterbacks coach as Drew Petzing has been a desired name, and even at offensive coordinator as Alex Van Pelt’s role has never been clearly defined. Here, we seek out a handful of names that Stefanski and the Browns could target to add.

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Video: Jimmy Haslam reacts to York’s game winner on the sideline

Hardly “one of us” but Haslam’s reaction was caught on video and it looked a whole lot like a fan’s reaction:

There is an old, possibly outdated, saying that “there is no cheering in the press box.” The idea is that media covering the games should have no emotional attachment to what is going on during the game.

The reality is many media members have to try very hard to stifle their emotions while watching the action. Football, for example, is fun. Basketball, for example, can be exhilarating and fast-paced.

Having covered both NFL and NBA games live as a member of the press, I can tell you it can be quite difficult.

That rule doesn’t apply to employees of the team and it especially doesn’t apply to owners.

Sunday, with his team down to Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers, owner Jimmy Haslam prowled the sideline. His reaction to Cade York’s game-winning kick, to send the Cleveland Browns to 1-0 for the first time in his ownership, was caught on video:

You can also see J.W. Johnson come into view halfway through pumping his fist. Johnson, along with Myles Garrett, trolled Mayfield’s “off the leash” t-shirt after the game.

While Haslam has had a problematic stint as the team’s owner, it is obvious how passionate he is about the team. Like most fans, Sunday’s win was full of stress and excitement for the owner as well.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: ‘We believe Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance’

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says the team strongly believes QB Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance

Now that there is a final resolution on the Deshaun Watson suspension situation, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam fielded questions in a press conference at the team’s headquarters. Haslam vehemently defended the team’s decision to trade for Watson despite the sexual misconduct allegations and the resulting 11-game suspension settlement between the league and the NFLPA.

“I think in this country and hopefully in the world, people deserve second chances,” Haslam stated with his wife and co-owner Dee looking on. “I really think that.”

Then Haslam turned more broadly and altruistically with his statement.

“And I struggle a little bit — is he (Watson) never supposed to play again? Is he never supposed to be part of society? Does he get no chance to rehabilitate himself?

That’s what we’re going to do. And you can say, ‘well that’s because he’s a star quarterback.’ Well of course! But if he was Joe Smith he wouldn’t be on the headlines every day. We think that people deserve a second chance. We gave Kareem Hunt a second chance, okay? And that’s worked out pretty well.

We’re hoping this will work out and we have a strong belief that it will. That doesn’t mean we don’t have empathy for people affected, and we will continue to do so. But we strongly believe — strongly believe — people deserve a second chance. We believe Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.”

Hunt was signed in 2019 after a domestic violence incident at a Cleveland hotel while the running back and Cleveland-area native was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt assaulted a woman in a hallway in an incident that was captured on video. The Chiefs quickly severed ties with Hunt, who was the NFL’s leading rusher as a rookie in 2017. Hunt has effectively stayed out of trouble since joining the Browns.

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Haslams make statement on Deshaun Watson’s suspension

The Haslams’ statement is short and is similar to their earlier statements about Watson:

The Cleveland Browns hope that they have some certainty with QB Deshaun Watson now that Judge Sue Robinson has rendered her decision. The six-game suspension could be appealed by the NFL leading to a stronger punishment.

For now, Watson will miss the first six games of the 2022 season returning to practice with the team in Week 4 of the season. QB Jacoby Brissett will run the show until Watson returns.

While the NFLPA, in conjunction with Watson, released a statement last night that they would not appeal Robinson’s decision, we have not heard from the quarterback in a month and a half. It has been even longer since we heard from ownership. Monday, Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement:

The Haslams’ statement is in line with the last time they spoke shortly after Watson’s arrival in Cleveland.

While the Haslams’ statement notes Watson is “remorseful,” the quarterback has denied that he has done anything wrong in the situation:

Outside of the completion of the investigation, nothing has changed since the Browns acquired Watson. The organization was behind the move and the player at that time and, seemingly, will continue to be moving forward.

Fans, on the other hand, have not been in lockstep with the organization with many opposing Watson as a member of the team.

According to the public relations department, we will hear from both the Haslams and GM Andrew Berry after the appeals process, if the NFL decides to appeal.

Haslams comfortable with Deshaun Watson, trust legal system

The Haslams made it clear that they feel comfortable with both Watson and the legal system in answering questions to the media Friday:

The Cleveland Browns organization and Deshaun Watson finally spoke to the media following the trade that shocked the world that was initiated a week ago. Last Friday, Watson informed the Browns and Houston Texans that he had chosen Cleveland from among the other teams vying for his services.

The Texans announced the trade Friday night with the Browns following up with their announcement on Sunday.

Watson arrived in Berea on Thursday before taking a moment to step foot on the field at FirstEnergy Stadium with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Greg Newsome II.

Friday afternoon, GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski joined Watson in front of the media in Berea. The quarterback made it clear that he never assaulted or disrespected any women in answering questions during the press conference.

Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam had their time with the media over a Zoom conference call. The Haslams reported they were out of the country Friday.

During their time with the media, both of the owners made it very clear that they became comfortable with acquiring Watson and that they trust the legal process.

Both owners spent time validating the concerns of fans but repeated their comfort with both Watson as a person and the legal system. The team is also “comfortable” with Watson’s legal team deciding how to proceed with the 22 civil lawsuits.

With the press conferences complete, but the Watson addition far from settled for some fans, the team will continue to look toward improving their team in free agency as they prepare for the NFL draft.

Browns cash spending tops NFL according to NFLPA

Fans mostly care about the salary cap but the NFLPA’s number says Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spent the most cash on his players in 2021:

The ins and outs of the NFL salary cap is an interesting one for a variety of reasons. While fans either care too much about it or don’t care at all. Like most things, somewhere in the middle is probably the healthiest way to think about the cap.

Salary cap space helps us understand what players the team can add in free agency or extend on their own team except there is a myriad of ways to work around it. From restructuring contracts, the use of void years or using bonuses to spread out cap hits, the salary cap has long been manipulated by teams.

In the end, it comes due but winning teams will do whatever they can to push that off as long as they can.

Another interesting aspect is the amount of cash a team spends. Far different than the salary cap, this is the amount of money directly paid to players in a given year. For 2021, the Cleveland Browns paid out the most according to the Players’ Association:

This list is an interesting one with the Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams, at the bottom of the cash spending and teams like the New York Jets and New York Giants spending $70 million or more than the Rams.

In the end, it is clear that Jimmy Haslam isn’t afraid to spend money to get things done. With the help of rollover cap space, Andrew Berry and company have been aggressive in adding players each of the last two offseasons.

With the 2022 offseason opening next week, we will find out just how aggressive Berry can be again and just how much cash Haslam will be shelling out to the players.

Jimmy Haslam says Hue Jackson ‘has never accepted blame for one thing.’

Jimmy Haslam didn’t mince words when it came to Hue Jackson’s allegations. The vitriol was strong from the Browns owner:

Hue Jackson’s legacy will forever be connected to the Cleveland Browns organization. If that wasn’t true before this week’s allegations, it has been cemented by them.

First, Jackson made some claims on social media that insinuated that the team gave him bonuses for losing. Then the Browns addressed those claims with their own statement. Jackson followed that up with an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter and seemingly backtracked his allegations of getting paid bonuses for losing.

From that interview, it seems clear that Cleveland presented Jackson with a four-year plan that focused on youth, draft picks and the development of players for the first two seasons before expecting winning to start in years three and four.

In his first two seasons, Jackson went 1-31. While the team was young and draft picks were the focus, there was very little development of the young talent on the team. He was fired during his third season after going 2-5-1.

Owner Jimmy Haslam fired back at Jackson in an interview with the Knox News:

“Hue Jackson has never ever accepted any responsibility for our record during that time period,” Haslam said in an exclusive interview. “He’s been masterful at pointing fingers but has never accepted any blame. I have accepted a ton of blame, and rightfully so.

“There are a lot of things I could’ve done better. Hue has never accepted blame for one thing.”

Haslam went on to make it clear that the former head coach was never paid to lose games. Haslam’s remarks continued:

“I can’t think of any individual that I’ve worked with over the past 45 years that I spent as much time trying to help be successful as I did Hue Jackson,” Haslam said. “His third year, when our roster began to pretty dramatically improve, the eight games he coached we were 2-5-1. After Hue was dismissed, we went 5-3.”

One of the final remarks noted in the piece is the Browns owner noting that winning consistently is the goal but the team has not done that yet “… but we are getting closer.”

Jimmy Haslam sees the talent on the field but “has to move into wins”

Talent? Check. Wins on the field again in 2021? That is what Jimmy Haslam wants to see.

Jimmy Haslam’s ownership of the Cleveland Browns has been a rocky one, at best. Constant turnover and turmoil have lingered throughout. The 2020 season was a successful one but, given the team’s history under Haslam, needs to prove it wasn’t an aberration.

Haslam has always spent money to try to make the team a winner but has often struggled to have alignment among the team’s leadership during his time. The 2020 offseason was all about alignment which led the team, including Paul DePodesta, to hiring Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to right the ship.

In one season, and two offseasons, the Browns are moving in the right direction. The playoff victory last year was a great start but the team has higher hopes and added talent to make sure they can reach those.

Talking to media at training camp, Haslam acknowledged the talent but also the team’s goals are on the field:

 

Last year was a good start for the DePodesta, Stefanski and Berry partnership but longevity will be the key. In Cleveland, given his history, Haslam holds the keys as the owner of the team. Not only does the team have to continue to produce wins on the field but Haslam must show patience, something he has not in the past, through any struggles they might have.