For all the flaws of the Tennessee Titans’ nonagenarian owner who from time to time likes to flash a middle finger (or two), he’s never been under fear of a federal indictment.
That’s important as it relates to the Titans, because as David Climer of the Tennessean points out “[i]t’s no secret that the Haslam family once had its eyes on the Titans franchise.” The Haslams abandoned their desire to buy the Titans once it became clear that the team would stay in the Adams family after his passing.
So it could have been the Titans who are dealing with uncertainty and a potential disruption of continuity (not to mention the embarrassment) that comes from its owner being forced to face federal fraud charges, if indeed criminal charges ever are filed against Haslam. And, as Climer writes, Titans fans should be grateful for not having to deal with that distraction.
Actually, Steelers fans should also be feeling a little grateful, too, since Haslam owned a double-digit share of the team before buying the Browns. If Randy Lerner hadn’t decided last year to sell the Browns, the Steelers would be the team dealing with a significant minority owner dealing with a major legal problem.
Sure, it would be less newsworthy. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t be, since it involves a nationally-followed team like the Steelers.
It doesn’t matter, because this dark cloud ended up being parked over the Browns. Along with the many other dark clouds the franchise has suffered in recent years.
Hopefully, the clouds eventually will part for the Browns and their fans. That won’t happen at least until the Pilot Flying J matter has been resolved, one way or the other.