The Cleveland Browns are owned by Jimmy Haslam and his wife Dee Haslam.
The couple bought the franchise from Randy Lerner in 2012 for about $1 billion.
Their holding company, Haslam Sports Group, now controls several teams beyond the NFL.
In 2026 the Browns are worth roughly $8.6 billion according to independent valuations.
This guide breaks down the ownership structure, the family history, and the biggest storylines shaping the franchise this year.
Table of Contents
Cleveland Browns Ownership at a Glance
Here are the essential facts about who controls the Cleveland Browns heading into the 2026 season.
| Category | Details |
| Owners | Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam |
| Ownership Entity | Haslam Sports Group |
| Year Acquired | 2012 |
| Purchase Price | About $1 billion |
| Estimated Value in 2026 | About $8.6 billion |
| Other Teams Owned | Milwaukee Bucks stake, Columbus Crew |
| Home Venue | Huntington Bank Field, with a new domed stadium under construction in Brook Park |
Cleveland Browns Ownership Structure Explained
The Browns are not a publicly traded company, so their ownership sits entirely inside one family led umbrella.
NFL franchise, majority owned since 2012
MLS franchise, fully owned
NBA minority stake acquired in 2023
Cleveland Browns Ownership Timeline Since 2012
The Haslam era has moved through several distinct chapters over the past decade.
Are Jimmy and Dee Haslam Good Owners
Fan opinion on the Haslams tends to split along competitive and business lines.
On the field the record is difficult to defend, with the franchise carrying a losing record across most of the Haslam tenure.
The team has cycled through numerous head coaches and front office regimes since 2012.
On the business side the picture looks stronger, since franchise value has climbed several times over since the purchase.
Dee Haslam has also raised the family profile in Cleveland through community investment and a more visible public role than most NFL co owners.
The decision to trade for and pay Deshaun Watson remains the most criticized personnel move of the Haslam era.
Are the Browns For Sale In 2026
No, the Cleveland Browns are not for sale in 2026.
Jimmy and Dee Haslam have repeatedly stated their intention to keep the franchise in the family long term.
Their heavy financial commitment to the new Brook Park stadium also signals a long horizon rather than an exit plan.
NFL rules further limit rapid ownership turnover, since any sale requires approval from three quarters of league owners.
Speculation about a sale tends to resurface after difficult seasons, but nothing in the public record supports it right now.
How Jimmy Haslam Built His Fortune Before Buying the Browns
Jimmy Haslam made his fortune primarily through Pilot Flying J, the truck stop and travel center chain founded by his father.
He grew the company into one of the largest privately held businesses in the United States before selling a majority stake to Berkshire Hathaway.
That fuel and travel empire gave the family the capital needed to enter professional sports ownership.
Forbes has estimated the extended Haslam family fortune at well over ten billion dollars in recent rankings.
The Haslam Family’s Other Sports Investments
The Browns are only one piece of the Haslam sports portfolio today.
The family also owns Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew outright, a club that has won two MLS Cup titles under their watch.
In 2023 the Haslams purchased a minority stake in the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA from businessman Marc Lasry.
That deal placed the family alongside other Ohio adjacent sports dynasties that also hold stakes across multiple leagues, a group that includes ownership circles tied to teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose current control is detailed in our guide to who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Haslams have also expanded into women’s soccer, securing an NWSL expansion franchise for Columbus.
Inside the Brook Park Stadium Controversy
The most contentious storyline of the Haslam ownership era right now is the planned move out of downtown Cleveland.
In 2024 the Browns announced plans for a new enclosed stadium in the suburb of Brook Park.
Cleveland city officials, including Mayor Justin Bibb, pushed back hard against the relocation and the use of public funding tools to help pay for it, according to ESPN.
Legal disputes followed over roughly $100 million in contested funding, though the two sides eventually reached a settlement.
Cleveland City Council later approved an amended version of the stadium deal after months of negotiation.
Crews officially broke ground on the roughly $2.6 billion domed facility in April 2026.
What the New Stadium Means for Browns Fans
The new domed stadium is designed to host football year round without weather delays.
Ownership has framed the project as a chance to host major events like a Super Bowl or an NCAA Final Four.
Meanwhile the current lakefront facility, Huntington Bank Field, will host the team until the new venue opens.
Downtown Cleveland is separately planning redevelopment of the lakefront site the Browns will eventually leave behind.
Construction crews were performing mass excavation work at the Brook Park site as of August 2026.
Deshaun Watson and the Browns Path Forward in 2026
Ownership decisions on the field remain closely tied to the future of quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson signed a fully guaranteed contract worth about $230 million after the Haslams traded for him in 2022.
He has since been limited by multiple injuries, including a second torn Achilles tendon that wiped out most of the 2025 season.
Watson returned to practice in 2026 and has been working to reclaim the starting job during preseason play.
How that competition resolves will shape public perception of the Haslam front office for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Cleveland Browns?
Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam own the Cleveland Browns through Haslam Sports Group.
How much did the Haslams pay for the Browns?
The Haslams paid roughly $1 billion for the Browns when the sale closed in October 2012.
How much are the Cleveland Browns worth in 2026?
Recent valuations place the Browns at approximately $8.6 billion, according to Forbes style franchise rankings.
Do the Haslams own any other sports teams?
Yes, the Haslam family also owns Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew and holds a minority stake in the Milwaukee Bucks, and background on Jimmy Haslam’s career can be found on Wikipedia.
For a broader look at how team ownership works across the league, see our guide to who owns the NFL.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.