Let’s face it; the Cleveland Browns are a public relations nightmare. And their horrible record since the late 1980’s is just one reason this team is alienating their fans on a consistent basis. The owner of the team is a virtual recluse. Players are not fan friendly, and the team treats their operation like it is part of national security.
Of course, some of these problems would be minor points if the team were winning. There are very few complaints about a winning organization. When a franchise is losing, people want to know how it will be fixed. This is why the Browns’ silence is a problem.
With the Indians, GM Mark Shapiro is always out front and ready to answer questions when the Tribe is struggling. As for the Browns, there is no “face” of the franchise. Apparently, Eric Mangini will be the point man for the organization, but he doesn’t appear to be a media dynamo. He is like most football coaches; everything is treated like a state secret.
If Randy Lerner doesn’t want to be the team spokesman, then he needs to hire someone who will be, preferably a person who is dynamic and shows a passion for bringing the Browns a title. You can criticize Shapiro and Cavs’ GM Danny Ferry if you wish, but you can’t dispute the passion they bring to their positions.
The secrecy that the Browns work under doesn’t help them. The whole situation with Kellen Winslow’s staph infection this past season is a prime example of that. I understand the laws that go along with the privacy issues, but the way his illness was treated by the team made perfect fodder for all the rumormongers out there.
Now, there is the dismissal of some long-term employees, including Direct of Media Relations Ken Mather and Browns.com writer Steve King, supposedly because of the tough economic times. We all realize that times are tough, but why are the Browns taking heat for these dismissals? Other teams are making cuts. Just yesterday, the Colts let 25 people go from their office staff.
The criticism is due to all of the contracts ownership has bought out over the years. Following last year’s 10-6 record, Lerner rushed to give Romeo Crennel, Phil Savage, and Rob Chudzinski contract extensions and raises, despite the head coach and the general manager having just one winning season in three years. Both men were under contract, and the prudent thing would have been to wait one more successful season before extending their deals.
If Randy Lerner wants to waste his money, that’s his business. However, if that waste causes people to lose their jobs, it irritates people. Once again, if the Browns were winning, nobody probably would have said a word.
The Cleveland Browns’ public relation problems are magnified because they are losing. Winning cures a lot of ills, but until they get things turned around, every move they make as an organization will be under a great deal of scrutiny.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 