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Browns' Jimmy Haslam refutes report about trading franchises

Andrew Weber / Reuters

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam vociferously refuted a report alleging that he was open to swapping his franchise in exchange for owning the Tennessee Titans

Haslam, who was born and resides in Knoxville, bought the Browns in 2012 and was adamant about his commitment to the club and to Cleveland. 

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Monday evening that Haslam was amenable to swapping franchises with the Titans. The Browns' owner ripped into him and his story on Tuesday.

"Something like that, I don't think he understands the implications it has for the franchises, people that work here, your fans, your partners," Haslam said, according to ESPN's Tony Grossi. "I don't think he understands that. There's zero basis to it.

"You can question the moves we've made, but I don't think you can question our commitment to the Browns, to the city of Cleveland, Northeast Ohio. Dee (Haslam, his wife) has been super involved in the community. I'm getting involved. I mean, we're totally committed to the community, but most of all to turn around the football team because the single best thing we can do is turn around the Browns."

The Browns have yet to post a winning record under Haslam's ownership, but the truck stop magnate is still committed to the club he purchased three years ago. 

Haslam admitted that once an opportunity arose to own his own franchise, he was fully on board. 

"Our family was interested in getting an NFL franchise for a very long time,” he said. "We looked at several different franchises. Everybody always thought it would be the Titans because that's where we live.

"But once we got involved with the Steelers, we made it clear to the Rooneys and the NFL that if an opportunity for an NFL franchise ever came up, that we would jump on it. We feel very fortunate to have an NFL franchise. There's only 32 and the Packers are publicly owned so there's only 31."

Although Haslam made it clear he's thrilled with the city of Cleveland's passion for football, the Browns' owner threw in a parting shot to La Canfora about his report. 

"Before you write a story blasting us that we're dysfunctional or we don't get along, take the time to come visit us and if you still feel that way, then write the story," Haslam said. "But when you've never met us, never been in our building and have no idea how we feel about Cleveland, it's totally irresponsible."

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