FirstEnergy-Browns part ways on positive note

Article posted by Coliseum, April 21^st, 2023

Image: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Heather McLaughlin, CC BY 2.0

The National Football League (NFL) team Cleveland Browns and the electric services company FirstEnergy Corp announced recently that they have reached an amicable decision to end their stadium naming rights agreement. Terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

‘Cleveland Browns’ quoted John Somerhalder, Interim President and head honcho of FirstEnergy Corp, “Together with the Browns, we have worked to enrich our communities while increasing awareness of FirstEnergy as an energy leader. Since we signed this agreement 10 years ago, our priorities have shifted as the company evolved from a competitive energy supplier to a regulated utility, and as a result, our corporate initiatives must also evolve. Like the rest of Northern Ohio, we remain passionate Browns fans and will cheer them on in upcoming seasons. We also look forward to maintaining our deep relationships with civic, arts and other organizations to bring good energy to our communities.”

The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland (US). Named after the original Coach and Co-Founder Paul Brown, they compete in the National Football League as a member club of the American Football Conference North division.

The 67,431-capacity Cleveland Browns Stadium is a stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, primarily for American football. It is the home field of the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League, and serves as a venue for other events such as college and high school football, soccer, hockey, and concerts.

The FirstEnergy Corp is an electric utility headquartered in Akron, Ohio (US). It was established when Ohio Edison acquired Centerior Energy in 1997. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the distribution, transmission and generation of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services.

‘Cleveland Browns’ quoted Dave Jenkins, Haslam Sports Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), as stating, “We’ve had a great association with FirstEnergy for more than two decades, and we appreciate this partnership and what it has created for our team and the broader Northeast Ohio community. We reached this amicable agreement that is consistent with the productive relationship we have always enjoyed, and we wish FirstEnergy success with their future initiatives. Our home stadium will return to its former name, the Cleveland Browns Stadium.”

Berea, Ohio (US)-based the Haslam Sports Group is a values-driven organization committed to unifying people through sports and entertainment. Across the portfolio, they share a common goal of bringing their fans and their communities best-in-class experiences and teams that consistently deliver results. The Haslam Sports Group leadership team strategically pursues innovation and actively works to foster diversity of thought as they strive for the best. They give back to the region to drive positive change as stewards of true community assets. The Haslam Sports Group operates the Cleveland Browns.

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