Bernie Kosar announced his retirement from football and
will now focus on heading up a new ownership group for the
Browns, according to George Richards of the AKRON BEACON
JOURNAL. Kosar: "I'm definitely interested in bringing the
Browns back. I've spoken with people in the NFL and I think
we have a good chance. This is partially why I decided to
retire. I need to develop the working side of it." Kosar
joins a "growing list of possible owners," including Indians
Owner Richard Jacobs, MD financier Al Lerner and former
Browns minority owner Robert Gries (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL,
4/22). Although NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "is well
aware" of Kosar's interest, he is "not prepared to say
whether it will happen or not," according to Tom Gaffney of
the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. Tagliabue: "I'm very pleased he is
interested in this because he can be a positive ingredient
in the mix. ... [but] it would be foolish for me to say that
just because somebody raises their hand, they are going to
be the owner" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 4/22).
