Cleveland Browns: Angst in Training Camp Discussion

The Cleveland Browns appear poised to move training camp from Berea to Columbus, but the reason they are doing it should bother people.

Talks have once again picked up about the Cleveland Browns move training camp from Berea. An idea that has been in the works for several years, the team appears to be poised to make the move to Columbus as early as 2018. When it happens—and it will happen—the team will spin it being about expanding the brand and giving more fans the opportunity to see the team for training camp. Make no mistake, it’s about money.

Part of what makes Berea great for the fans that make the trek to training camp is how accessible it is. Fans that have homes that backup to the complex can simply walk to training camp to see the team practice in the summer. For a sport that has become so corporate, this is the game at its simplest and most relatable.

Fans young and old are separated from players like Joe Thomas by little more than a rope. It is that one rare circumstance where players look truly human, because it is such an intimate, enclosed area. Robert Griffin III threw a pass in training camp that went over a fence into a neighbor’s yard, even if only an attempt to show off his arm. Fans who dreamed or still dream to play in the NFL some day see players trying to make that dream come true.

And the players, for the most part, see the best of the fans, since no one boos training camp. Typically, the worst case scenario is an over enthusiastic, perhaps rude autograph seeker. For the most part, it’s parents sharing their love of football with their kids and people just really excited to see their favorite team.

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No one is being charged for parking, concessions or even potentially tickets, which the financial arm of the Browns organization sees as a missed opportunity increase revenue. With Columbus, they aren’t attempting to shoe horn a training complex into a neighborhood. They are building something that allows the team to practice, to train and to meet all the other practical needs—but also as a profit center.

This notion of moving training camp came about when the Browns selected Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft. Almost before any consideration on how the quarterback could be developed or put in a position to succeed, the team was focused on ways to capitalize on his fame.

This was another problem the Browns had, may still face. The focus seemed to be on maximizing profits off the field rather before producing a good product on it. This is far and away the biggest issue with why this team has been as bad as it has been. Johnny Manziel was selected as a marketing strategy first and a quarterback second. Of course they wanted him to be successful on the field, but even with all of his problems off the field, never hesitated in using him to generate more revenue.

Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) with fans during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

For his rookie year. the team had to set up a a first come, first serve system for tickets to account for the demand and lack of room in Berea. The Browns loved the excitement that Manziel created, seeing fans go to incredible length to see him live and in person. He was less a quarterback than a sensation. The team immediately sought to try to take full advantage. The once a year practice event at Ohio State’s stadium during training camp was created as a result, but they wanted a more permanent revenue stream.

Whether it was Akron, Columbus or any other potential location to move camp, the team had certain criteria they had to be able to meet. The team wants certain types of fields and facilities among other practicalities of putting on effective training camp. They also want to be able to get a cut from parking and make money off concessions.

Much of the angst and mockery comes from the fact the Browns are awful. Currently 0-12 and dead last, the common refrain is well, if they want more exposure, more fans, more whatever, “win more games”.

From a financial standpoint, whether the Browns are dead last or a perennial contender, this is the move to make to increase revenue. It might frustrate some fans and the optics currently look dreadful, but the end result is more money. If they were to wait for the team to make the playoffs before making such a transition, the only change might be the optics, slightly.

The frustration for fans and critics should be aimed at the Browns attempts to get taxpayers to foot some of the bill to make the move. At one point, this even involved trying to get the city of Cleveland to chip in $5 million to move training camp to Columbus. That is outrageous.

A billion-dollar industry that is making money hand over fist trying to get taxpayers to pay for the ability to make more of it. This is absurd if the Browns are a Super Bowl champion, let alone a bottom-feeder. If the team wants to move training camp, so be it. But they should pay their own way to do it.

There might be a loss of some innocence with a move by the Cleveland Browns to a more corporate, profit seeking training camp. It’s largely more of a shame than anything else. The aim of this move isn’t branding, accessibility, expanding the fan base, or any of the other buzz concepts that will be raised. It’s about money and the team’s goal to make more of it. That in itself isn’t wrong, but trying to get taxpayer money to do it is both predictable and disgusting.