He only kept the franchise because that’s what his late father wanted.
We didn’t know a thing about Jimmy Haslam except he was rich and loved football.
But it seems the old timers were right.
At least so far.
Haslam’s ownership tenure in Cleveland basically mirrors the quarterbacks his team has trotted out on the field.
And if the trade doesn’t work out, it’s an even more precarious situation on the field.
But that is Haslam.
A guy who is willing to do anything to win.
Even if winning means his businessallegedly scams mom and pop trucking companies out of fuel rebate money.
He’s not afraid to spend money and he’s not afraid to cut corners.
Haslam is a win at all costs kind of guy.
Which is great in theory except one small thing: He doesn’t do a ton of winning.
In 2019, he purchased the Columbus Crew.
So that brings me to the Milwaukee Bucks and their fans.
Haslam won’t flinch at covering the luxury tax bill headed the franchise’s way.
If there is one thing Jimmy knows how to do it’s cut a check.
Only the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers are slated to pay more.
Daddy fat pockets laughs at a puny luxury tax bill.
But that’s not the case.
Forbes -The construct of the deal is highly unusual.
Jimmy knows how to make money and he knows how to spend money.
These things come naturally to him.
I mean just look at this scoreboard shaped like his home state Tennessee in our stadium.
It may seem silly to you but this was a huge slap in the face to people here.
Using our tax money to build some strange ode to The Volunteer state.
The balls on this fucking guy.
And I’m not naive.
I know that if he wins a Super Bowl here he will be revered and loved forever.
Because winning cures all.
And when he showed up in Cleveland there wasn’t much winning happening anyway.
Rubble and trash looks like rubble and trash no matter how you rearrange it.
But Milwaukee is in a much different spot.
They have been NBA title contenders every year for the last five.
They have a Larry O’Brien trophy and arguably the best player in the league.
Well Milwaukee is about to find out the answer to that question.
If history is any indication you’re going to need it.
