When the Cleveland Browns finally parted ways with former owner Randy Lerner in 2012, fans breathed a collective sigh of relief. Jimmy and Dee Haslam stepped in as the new owners, and for a moment, it felt like a new era was dawning. But as any seasoned Browns fan will tell you, hope in Cleveland can be a double-edged sword.
Fast forward 14 years, and the Haslam era has been a mixed bag at best. The Browns have made the playoffs just twice during that span, while posting nine seasons with double-digit losses. That's a lot of heartbreak for a fanbase that's already seen its fair share. The current roster, however, is showing signs of life—a solid draft class, a fresh head coach, and arguably the league's best defensive player in Myles Garrett. Sure, the quarterback situation remains a puzzle, but as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Yet, there's been another persistent issue: ownership's hands-on approach. While the Haslams have never hesitated to open their checkbook, they've also had a knack for getting in the way of the football operations. It's a delicate balance, and one that might be shifting.
Enter the Milwaukee Bucks. The Haslams own a 25 percent stake in the NBA franchise, which just wrapped up a disappointing 32-win season. That led to the dismissal of head coach Doc Rivers and the hiring of Taylor Jenkins. During Wednesday's press conference introducing Jenkins, Jimmy Haslam made a revealing statement: "Do I think we'll be here more? I do." He went on to express excitement about collaborating with Bucks GM Jon Horst and Jenkins to build a winning team.
For Browns fans, this might sound familiar. It's the same kind of accountability talk Haslam has used after every coaching or GM change in Cleveland. But this time, it could mean a subtle shift in focus. With more time dedicated to the Bucks, perhaps the Haslams will finally let the football guys do what they're paid to do. And for a team that's been rebuilding for what feels like forever, a little less ownership interference might be just what the doctor ordered.