Getty ImagesSo now when the Browns lose and a fan randomly shouts insults at the Factory of Sadness, it’ll have an official name.
The FirstEnergy Factory of Sadness.
The Browns announced a “long-term partnership” with FirstEnergy Corp. to apply the company’s name to Cleveland Browns Stadium.
“This is a great day for all of us and it builds on the momentum we have experienced as we enter into a new era of Cleveland Browns Football,” owner Jimmy Haslam said. “The Browns and FirstEnergy have enjoyed a tremendous relationship for more than a decade, and since our arrival back in August, it has been our pleasure getting to know [CEO] Tony [Alexander], Chairman of the Board George Smart, President of FirstEnergy Utilities Chuck Jones and many other FirstEnergy employees. As native Ohioans, they understand the value of the Browns brand, and like all of our fans, they have lived and died with this football team. Our core values of being the best at everything we do are clearly aligned, and because of their commitment to the City of Cleveland and to all of Northeast Ohio, we felt this would be the perfect partnership. Plus, it’s a great name for the stadium — FirstEnergy.”
Actually, it’ll be FirstEnergy Stadium. Not FirstEnergy Factory of Sadness. Or FirstEnergy Sadness Factory.
The agreement is subject to approval by Cleveland City Council. And some fans may want Cleveland City Council to reject the deal. But there’s no reason to balk; with more revenue, Haslam can reinvest more money in the team. Which, in theory, will make the team even better.
“Having a stadium naming rights deal in place was extremely important for us as we look towards the future, and it was just as imperative to accomplish this with a strong, regional company such as FirstEnergy,” Browns CEO Joe Banner said. “We are excited about what this long-term partnership means, allowing both the Browns and FirstEnergy to derive many benefits from this association. This deal is a great example of why we feel very good about the direction our organization is headed, and we believe it can serve as a catalyst for many other positive developments moving forward.”
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. They inevitably will be once Cleveland City Council takes up the deal. Which means that they should have just gone ahead and announced the terms now.
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Are you saying that members of the Cleveland City Council are a bunch of blabber mouths??
@whatnojets . . . no, I’m saying the fact that it’s a public project will mean that the numbers will be disclosed via open meetings laws.
The Factory of Sadness thing was funny a year ago.
The horse is dead. You can stop beating it now…
Thanks for the clarification.
Are you CERTAIN that it will be “FirstEnergy Stadium”?
I am under the impression that there is another facility with that exact name.
It’s nice to not have a cheesy corporate brand in your stadium name, but I know some Browns fans who would sign over the naming rights of themselves, their children, and their grandchildren if it would bring a Lombardi to Cleveland. Message to Haslam: use the money well and the fans will easily forgive you for this.
seriously it might take 2-3 years give or take I believe the browns will be at least respectable “on the field” they should be able to get it together with haslam at the helm. too bad clevelanders will be sick to their stomachs that it took a minority owner from the steelers to do it. how will that sit with puppy pounders?? cry me a river or 3
First things first,congrats to all BROWNS fans on your offseason success.this will only make the Cleveland browns better .the afc should fear this move.
The Factory of Sadness stigma won’t go away until they win…start with sweeping the steelers
it may technically be the FirstEnergy stadium but in reality it will still be the first energy factory of sadness
I’m thinking First Energy Field?
Marketing people love alliteration.
“FirstEnergy……..ThenDisappointment”.
Interestingly, one of the Philadelphia Phillies farm league teams also plays in a FirstEnergy Stadium. I doubt that the stadium naming deal for the Reading Fightin’ Phils is as lucrative though.
Glad my team doesn’t put these embarrassing labels on our stadium. Besides, they make enough from parking fees.
The Toilet Bowl.
Slickster, it’s nice to know the Hamilton Tiger-Cats don’t have corporate sponsorship on their stadium.
I can assure you Browns fans Factory of Sadness is still very funny. First Energy Factory of Sadness Field is bordering on hilarious.
First Energy Failures Field