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January 6, 2012Random Browns Thoughts on a Friday
January 6, 2012
Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert is slowly adding to his stable of sports franchises with the recent report by Cleveland Scene’s Vince Grzegorek stating that he is in line to complete a purchase of the Cleveland Gladiators, the region’s Arena Football League franchise.
Crain’s Cleveland has piled on to Grzegorek’s news earlier this morning, saying that, though nothing is imminent, the two sides could eventually reach an agreement that would net Gilbert a franchise that would play their contests during the months in which his other two teams are in the midst of an offseason.
Already a member of the ownership team for the Cavaliers as well as the Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland’s American Hockey League franshise, Gilbert is slowly becoming the prinicpal force behind all teams which play inside of his venue, Quicken Loans Arena, named after the retail mortgage lender which he founded and serves as chairman.
Gilbert is also the driving force behind the pending Horseshoe Casino that will grace the fronts of the Cuyahoga River directly across from the Arena and all of Cleveland’s Gateway District. Given the foot traffic that is expected to be largely rooted in Arena events, Gilbert’s attempt at cornering this market is one of logic. With Gilbert’s cash flow and willingness to spend in order to build, once this transaction is complete, look for plenty of cross-promotion and increased exposure of his brand new acquisition.
20 Comments
i don’t pay much attention to the ‘other’ sports now that i don’t live in cleveland. but, didn’t Kosar own an ownership stake in the Gladiators? will he still or am I misremembering like Clemens?
He is a “special advisor.” He owned a minority share, but I believe he had to relenquish such after filing for bankruptcy. I could be mistaken, though.
thanks Scott.
Could he be on the prowl for the Cleveland Indians?
Buy the Browns, plz.
Indians… because in that sport money directly leads to wins in most cases (unless you are the mets)
Yeah, I almost went that way too… but I don’t really enjoy watching baseball.
Since Dan is now in the business of arena sports, I feel like we should petition him to bring back the Cleveland Crunch/Force to play at the Q. It would probably be more profitable.
I would love a hockey team. Take one out of Florida. Or maybe they are already gone.
Dear Dan,
You are freaking awesome.
Love,
Cleveland
Does he also own the Crush?
^ Agree with Ben
Gilbert seriously needs to consider purchasing the Indians as well. It is rumored that the Dolans are trying to get out after 2012, as there will no longer be any long term contracts, with Hafner’s contract up in 2012 and Sizemore’s renegotiated to a 1-year deal. It’d be the perfect investment for him: right across the street from his already prospering venue, and with the right investment, could bring even more people into Cleveland, which could equate to more visitors to his casino.
Win-win. Buy the Tribe.
does he expect us to call him “Boss Gilbert” now? 🙂
Pleeease buy the Tribe and Browns Gilbert! DO IT! We have the most inept bafoons for owners in those two sports its laughable.
Do you think his purchase agreements are written in 14 point Comic Sans? I like to imagine that they are.
I like the people clamoring for Gilbert to buy the Indians. It is possible he would put a bit more into the salary as he seems more like a gambling man (pun intended) than the Dolans.
However, he’s still a business man, and it’s not like he’s going to go compete with even the White Sox and Tigers in salary. He might take this thing from the mid-60 mil average the Dolans have had to maybe mid-70s. Tops.
Gilbert is far too business saavy to buy the Indians. Even if he could, he knows it would be a huge risk. He already has his hands full with the Cavs, I doubt Gilbert has the cash flow to run 2 major professional sports franchises.
Inept buffoons. Perfect description. Especially ‘Randolph’ a.k.a. ‘the absentee owner’ Lerner. Do Cleveland a favor and just like the orange juice futures in Trading Places….SELL, SELL, SELL Randolph.
He could probably whoop some *ss in Monopoly.