Berea, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Jimmy and Dee Haslam continue to take steps to make the Cleveland Browns their primary family business.
Tuesday morning Dee Haslam made a significant move in that direction when it was announced that she would be stepping down as CEO of RIVR Media.
Mrs. Haslam founded the production company along with Rob Lundgren, who will now take over as CEO, 20 years ago.
The decision to step down comes so Haslam can “devote more of her focus to the Browns and the Cleveland community,” according to a news release from the company.
Although she is stepping down as CEO, Haslam will remain a partner and executive producer with the company.
"Television production has been a life-long passion and I have taken great pride in building RIVR Media with Rob and Lori and establishing a prolific production house in Knoxville,” Haslam said in a statement. “We love creatively bringing exceptional stories to life to engage viewers around the world. While I may transition roles, I will remain involved and committed to our consistent production of entertaining and unique content and am excited to see how we continue to evolve.”
RIVR Media has produced over 3,000 episodes for 21 different networks, including a series on the Browns after the Haslam's bought the team in 2012 called 'Road Tested' that aired on the Travel Channel.
Last October Jimmy Haslam reached an agreement with Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to sell a majority stake in Pilot Flying J, the family owned, and operated truck stop chain, for an undisclosed sum. The deal calls for Berkshire to buy 38.6 percent of the company initially, but in 2023 that share will increase to 80 percent with the Haslams retaining a minority share.
Pilot Flying J has been under scrutiny the last 5 years since federal officials raided the Knoxville-based headquarters in 2013 while investigating a fuel rebate scam.
On Monday, the statute of limitations expired for federal authorities to charge Jimmy Haslam, who denies any wrongdoing or knowledge of the scheme that saw 17 former employees convicted - including the former company president. The company paid an $85 million settlement to most of the defrauded customers as well as a $92 million penalty to the government.
The Browns have also had their share of troubles since the Haslams assumed control of the franchise in 2012.
The Haslams have fired 3 head coaches, 4 general managers, 2 presidents and a CEO while watching the team win just 19 games since NFL owners approved the sale to them in Oct. 2012. The franchise is also coming off an 0-16 season and the worst 3-year stretch for any team in league history.
While things have not gone well on the field in recent years, the Haslams have invested tens of millions of dollars and countless hours in support of their philanthropic initiatives in northeast Ohio.
Dee Haslam spearheaded the team’s ‘Give10’ program that encourages employees, players, coaches and fans to volunteer in the community.
The Haslams have also launched or funded efforts in the community, including nutrition and education programs as well as the replacement of athletic fields in the city of Cleveland and surrounding schools. Last year it was announced that proceeds from the team shop at FirstEnergy Stadium would help fund these efforts rather than go into the Browns’ revenue stream - a first for an NFL team.
With the first and fourth picks in the draft as well as 5 of the top 64 overall in hand, the Haslams are hopeful that better days for the franchise are not far away as they continue to give their full, undivided attention to finally turning the organization around.
