Browns Name Alec Scheiner President In First Hire Under Jimmy Haslam, Joe Banner

The Browns yesterday named Alec Scheiner team President, marking "the first hire" by new Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III and CEO Joe Banner, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Scheiner, who starts Jan. 7, "spent the previous eight years with the Cowboys," the last five as Senior VP & General Counsel. He replaces former President Mike Holmgren, but Scheiner's role "will be different." Holmgren "oversaw the business and football operations, while Scheiner will focus on the business side." His primary duties will "include stadium enhancements and local TV/radio broadcasting." Scheiner "views the Browns as a marketing gem similar to the Cowboys." He said, "The brand is so iconic and there's so much history behind it and the fans clearly care about the team. We just have to harness it. We have to harness it everywhere. We have to harness it with our employees, we have to harness it with people in the community, everyone can be a Browns fan." Banner said that Scheiner "fits his criteria of searching for the 'best of the best' at every position." Banner: "In my opinion, there's nobody better at what he does." Meanwhile, Cabot notes Browns Exec VP/Business Operations Bryan Wiedmeier will "take a new role in which he'll work closely with CEO Banner, focusing on long-term strategic planning for the organization, including stadium projects and other capital endeavors" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/19). Scheiner in '10 was named to SportsBusiness Journal/Daily's “Forty Under 40” list (THE DAILY).

BANNER YEAR: In Akron, Nate Ulrich wrote the addition of Scheiner "will presumably free up Banner to deal more with the football side of the organization" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 12/18). Banner yesterday stressed that he will "act swiftly" on the futures of coach Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert following the season finale on Dec. 30. Banner added that he and Haslam "haven't made up their minds yet, but have continued to discuss the front-office lineup" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 12/19).