CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA SEP 22 Steelers at Browns Icon220922108
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA SEP 22 Steelers at Browns Icon220922108
May 30, 2026, 11:30 AM CUT
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Sells Stake in $900 Million Sporting Franchise
Ahead of the 2026 season, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his family are selling part of their sports franchise holdings for the second time in a month.
"According to Mike Ozanian of CNBC, Nationwide Insurance is buying a 37% stake in the Columbus Crew from the Haslams and Dr Pete Edwards. The valuation of the franchise is $900 million per Ozanian," Tim Bielik of Cleveland.com reported May 28.
Of the 37% stake being sold, 30% is coming from the Haslam family, while the remaining 7% is being sold by the Dr Pete Edwards family.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cleveland Browns Minicamp Jun 10, 2025 Berea, OH, USA Cleveland Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam watches during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Berea CrossCountry Mortgage Campus OH USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250610_kab_bk4_017
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Cleveland Browns Minicamp Jun 10, 2025 Berea, OH, USA Cleveland Browns managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam watches during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Berea CrossCountry Mortgage Campus OH USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKenxBlazex 20250610_kab_bk4_017
The Haslams sold a 3% stake earlier this month. Now, if this deal is final, the Haslam family will still retain a 40% controlling share in the Crew.
The deal now awaits approval from the MLS Board of Governors.
The partnership comes less than two months after the Haslams and Nationwide joined forces to secure Columbus' National Women’s Soccer League expansion franchise. Their team is set to feature in Columbus in 2028.
The Haslams and Nationwide have maintained a long-standing business relationship. In 2021, Nationwide sponsored the Crew’s official jersey.
Haslam Sports Group Continues Expansion Beyond the NFL
After selling a few stakes, the Haslam Sports Group remains at the center. The Group has the operating right to MLS’s Columbus Crew and owns the Cleveland Browns. They also hold a controlling stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
The Group has other investors, including Nationwide Mutual Insurance and Pete’s family, who purchased a few parts of the Crew with Haslams in 2019.
The Haslams have now turned their attention towards the NWSL. Managing partner of Haslam Sports Group, Whitney Haslam Johnson, emphasized the need to add more professional leagues to their portfolio.
“We’re really excited about adding more women’s sports into our portfolio,” says Whitney Haslam Johnson. “We have a lot of work to do—these businesses are somewhat like startup businesses—but 2028 can’t get here soon enough, and we can’t wait to watch these incredible athletes play.”
According to Forbes, the owners will pay a $205 million fee, eyeing another expansion in a new league.
Haslam’s idea to move their investments across different leagues while strengthening Columbus as a key sports market is a bigger statement.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Evince Das
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore