Browns President Alec Scheiner and VP/Fan Experience & Marketing Kevin Griffin acknowledged that 13 losing seasons since the Browns' '99 return to Cleveland "have damaged their reputation with fans," and also "allowed rivals to make inroads as TV packages and the Internet have given younger fans unprecedented access to out-of-market teams," according to Tom Reed of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. But the Browns in the past year have "accelerated their efforts to engage fans beyond their immediate counties, which Scheiner insists are strongholds." One initiative taken by the team was the creation of Griffin's position, which is "dedicated solely to fan engagement." The team also has "placed considerable emphasis on Central Ohio, which boasts sizable Browns, Steelers and Bengals fan bases." Greater Columbus Sports Commission Exec Dir Linda Shetina Logan said that the Browns have "discussed many ideas, including potentially holding a minicamp, exhibition game or scrimmage" in Columbus. The Browns also have "made bi-monthly visits to Browns Backers clubs in places such as Trumbull and Franklin counties, spreading their message and trying to answer questions." Columbus-based WBNS-CBS's Beau Bishop said that he has "witnessed younger Central Ohio fans with no Cleveland ties gravitating to the Steelers, Bengals and even the Indianapolis Colts in part because of the Browns’ habitual losing." Griffin is "working to improve the Browns' numbers" on social media, which "tends to be a young fan's game." The team has 720,000-plus Facebook likes and 215,000-plus Twitter followers, trailing the Bengals (781,000; 225,000) and residing in a different "cyber strata" from the Steelers (5.1 million; 668,000). Scheiner conceded that the Steelers have joined the Packers and Cowboys, as "one of the 'national teams,' whose popularity is without borders" (CLEVELAND.com, 1/13).
COACHING CRISIS? NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said of the Browns' head coaching search, "Part of the problem here is that, from what I'm told, candidates have been calling (former Browns coach Rob Chudzinski), who went one and out with the Browns. The reviews have not been favorable. He's an honest guy, he's been honest with them, and when you talk to people involved in these interviews, it doesn't sound like (CEO Joe Banner, GM Michael Lombardi) and (Owner Jimmy Haslam III) have all been on the same page" (NFL GameDay Morning," NFL Network, 1/12).
FIXER UPPER: A Browns spokesperson yesterday wrote in an e-mail that renovations to FirstEnergy Stadium are "underway, as crews prepare the facility for the installation of two enormous scoreboards, wider, faster escalators and a state-of-the art sound system." In Cleveland, Leila Atassi reported cranes and other equipment "will be delivered and assembled on site later this week to assist in the project." Over the next few months, three teams "will work simultaneously -- with one on each end zone and one focused on the lower bowl -- to remove the scoreboards, signs, sections of steel, and beams that support stadium risers" (CLEVELAND.com, 1/13).
