One decade removed from the end of his decorated playing career, Charles Woodson is entering the realm of NFL ownership on a small level. The Hall of Famer is set to join Cleveland’s ownership group. 
Woodson has a deal in place to purchase a 0.1% stake in the Browns, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. She adds this arrangement will bring about similar restrictions to those created for his former Michigan teammate Tom Brady as a condition of his stake in the Raiders. That arrangement limits Brady’s involvement in certain aspects of his broadcasting career (among other things) as part of an effort to avoid conflicts of interest.
Russini adds that Woodson – a native of Freemont, Ohio – will also need to cease using his name, image and likeness on packaging for the wine and whiskey companies he is associated with to comply with the NFL’s alcohol policy. Once those conditions are met, the 48-year-old will take on a minimal Browns share. Jimmy Haslam remains in place as the team’s controlling owner.
Over the course of his time with the Raiders and Packers early in his career, Woodson established himself as one of the greatest cornerbacks of his generation and beyond. The Super Bowl winner eventually transitioned to safety at the end of his All-Pro tenure, which included a return to the Raiders. Woodson’s attention has been focused on his post-playing days since his career ended in 2015; that will soon include an ownership role.
Last August, Forbes valued the Browns at $5.15 billion (h/t Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal). Based on that figure, Woodson’s purchase would cost $5.15 million, although deals such as this are often based on lesser franchise valuations and thus a lower cost to new owners. In any case, Woodson should be in place as the latest member of Cleveland’s ownership group in the near future.
He really wants to be associated with that ownership group? Hope he got bargain basement pricing…
Ex-players usually get better values…says right in the article as well.
Five million seems a bit steep for Circus tickets, even if it is a season pass.
Not sure why he didn’t buy a piece of the raiders instead???
Probably because he’s from Ohio.
I’m assuming his wine only really has value with is name attached to it. A lot of these players’ alcohol brands aren’t actually very good. On top of that, this will hamper his broadcasting and his stake will probably require a decent amount of face time with the franchise. Unless he thinks his wine is a total failure, I am not seeing how this investment would be worth his time plus the negative impact to his other revenue streams.
Loved him as a player, but why in the name of everything that’s holy would someone pay FIVE MILLION DOLLARS to join an inept group of tried and true losers. Shouldn’t they be paying him?! Wouldn’t his money be better spent on a beer league softball team?
In his defense, it was probably the Browns or a WNBA team. His advisors let him down with this choice.
*Fremont
Came here to say the same thing
A Wolverine should not be allowed any ownership in an Ohio team on principle
Adam Fantilli and Zach Werenski are big parts of the Blue Jackets, Mason Graham could/should be a big part of the Browns’ defensive line for years to come, and Steve Everitt was beloved in Cleveland.
Obviously you don’t forget your college and where you were developed, but I don’t really see an issue with it. I also actually know of more than a few people in certain parts of northeast Ohio that are Michigan/Browns fans.