Jimmy Haslam is selling a minority stake in the Steelers to buy a majority stake in the Browns, and Steelers President Art Rooney II says that’s a good move for the NFL.
Rooney released a statement saying he believes that Haslam, a self-described “1,000 percent Steelers fan,” will do an excellent job with the Browns.
“Jimmy Haslam and his family have been great partners in the Steelers Ownership for the past three years,” Rooney said. “I am sorry that he will be leaving our Ownership group, but I am happy the National Football League is going to have a strong new Owner. I am sure the Haslam Family will bring constructive and able ownership to the Cleveland Browns.”
If Rooney is right, that’s bad news for his team. In the 13 seasons the Browns have been owned by the Lerner family, they’ve never won the division and rarely even been competitive. Haslam’s ownership could signal a shift in Cleveland, and a shift in power in the AFC North.
