Browns Quick to Deny Report That Links Jimmy Haslam and Jon Gruden
Jimmy Haslam’s presence as the new owner of the Cleveland Browns has already brought plenty of publicity to the team. It’s brought plenty of rumors as well, including a particular bizarre one involving Jon Gruden.
Oddly, it doesn’t involve Gruden coaching the Browns, but the Tennessee Volunteers (Haslam’s alma mater).
The rumor is this: for coaching the Vols, Gruden would be given an ownership stake in the Browns.
It’s a bizarre proposition, one the Browns have vehemently denied.
"“Jimmy Haslam has no involvement in the University of Tennessee head coaching search, and the report that Jon Gruden would potentially have an ownership stake in the Browns is completely erroneous,” read the statement, released by Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis."
Sure, Haslam is a Tennessee booster, but why would he give up a stake in the Browns to someone who will have no role in the organization? It’s going to create a panic in Cleveland, as if this somehow proves that Haslam is going to run the Browns into the ground, but it’s not like it would have an effect even if the rumor was true.
Deep breaths, everybody.