Charles Woodson, a former NFL star and current Fox Sports analyst, is set to purchase a minority stake in the Cleveland Browns. The deal values the team at $5 billion, with Woodson acquiring 0.1% of the team’s ownership for $5 million.
Broadcasting Restrictions
The agreement comes with broadcasting restrictions similar to those faced by Tom Brady when he purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. As part of the deal, Woodson will be prohibited from:
- Attending other teams’ facilities
- Participating in production meetings with coaches and players from opposing teams whose games he is calling for Fox Sports
Woodson currently works as an analyst on Fox’s pre-game show, "Fox NFL Kickoff." The restriction was lifted ahead of Super Bowl LIX last season, allowing Brady to attend practice sessions before calling their game against Kansas City on February 12th.
Potential Responsibilities and Conflicts of Interest
It remains unclear whether Woodson will have similar responsibilities within the Browns organization as Brady had with his Raiders ownership group. In addition to removing his name and likeness from various business ventures, such as his wine label "Charles Woodson’s Intercept," he may face further scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest between his new role as co-owner and TV personality.
A spokesperson for Fox Sports stated, "We value Charles’s contributions as an analyst. He has been an integral part of our pre-game show ‘Fox NFL Kickoff’ since joining us in 2016."
Woodson’s Football Career
Woodson played college football at Michigan before being drafted by Oakland with the fourth overall pick in 1998. His NFL career includes:
- Oakland Raiders: 1998-2005
- Green Bay Packers: 2006-2012
- Dallas Cowboys: 2013
- Oakland Raiders (again): 2013
- Houston Texans: 2014
He won one Super Bowl ring during his time with Green Bay after they defeated Pittsburgh 31-25 on February 6th, 2007.
Business Ventures
In addition to his football career, Woodson has found success outside of sports through various business ventures, including his wine label "Charles Woodson’s Intercept." This label was launched during the COVID lockdowns, when sales skyrocketed due to increased home consumption. Reports from Wine Spectator Magazine indicated that U.S. sales rose nearly fourfold between March and September of the previous year, driven by changing consumption habits and higher demand following years of low supply levels.
Conclusion
The acquisition of a minority stake in the Cleveland Browns marks another significant development in professional sports ownership structures across North America, where individuals are increasingly investing in teams while maintaining roles in other related fields, such as television broadcasting.
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