Amy

Adams Strunk

In short, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi seemingly received a promotion. Previously, Borgonzi and the head coach reported to the president of football operations, Chad Brinker, who had the final say on the 53-man roster. Now, the head coach will report directly to Borgonzi. Brinker and Borgonzi will, in turn, report directly to Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. Borgonzi will also now have final say on the 53-man roster and lead the search for the Titans’ next head coach. Brinker will reportedly “remain heavily involved in all aspects of running the building, as well as salary cap planning, research and analytics,” but we cannot help noticing that he and Borgonzi look an awful lot like peers now. While this could foment positive change, increasing an owner’s involvement in front office personnel’s day-to-day work does not always work out for the best.

Adams Strunk had controlled just 33 percent of the team, leaving Tennessee in violation of NFL bylaws that require at least one majority owner with a 50 percent share. Adams Strunk will now own 50 percent with the other 50 owned by various family members. “With this transaction, we are pleased to ensure that the legacy started by my father will continue in our family,” Adams Strunk said in a statement. “We are thrilled to make this commitment and will continue to invest in our team’s future growth and success. Our belief in what lies ahead for this team is unwavering and we are eager to see it unfold.”

It threatens to exacerbate the Titans’ ownership issues. The team has been owned in three equal 33 percent shares since former owner Bud Adams’ death in 2013. The league has insisted on a controlling owner, something Adams’ heirs have been unable to figure out. Adams’ daughter Amy Adams Strunk is the current figurehead. Susie’s sale could have 33 percent of the team owned by an outsider.

Adams Strunk is the “controlling owner,” but lacks a majority stake. That puts the Titans in violation of NFL rules, but president and CEO Steve Underwood recently said they were making progress toward meeting the league’s ownership requirements. Rumors that the team will be sold have persisted since Bud Adams’ death in 2013, but the smoke has yet to produce fire.

Per Mike Florio, the league is “not satisfied by efforts to address issues with the hierarchy.” The Titans have lacked a majority owner since Bud Adams’ death, with the rights spread out amongst three branches of his family. Adams’ daughter Amy Adams Strunk has been put forward as the controlling owner, but the team still hasn’t complied with the league’s wishes. Florio reports Adams’ grandson Kenneth Adams IV “may be inclined to push for a sale of the franchise if he ultimately doesn’t have a path to ownership and control.”