CLEVELAND — Should the Cleveland Cavaliers win their best-of-seven first-round series against the New York Knicks, they would advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they would likely meet the Milwaukee Bucks.
And if that happens, it would now create a conflict of interest for Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, whose purchase of a stake in the Bucks' ownership was approved by the NBA on Friday.
According to multiple reports, the Haslams purchased a 25 percent stake in the franchise from former co-owner Marc Lasry at a $3.5 billion valuation. In purchasing its stake in the Bucks, the Haslam Sports Group adds the 2021 NBA champions to a portfolio that also includes the Browns and Columbus Crew of the MLS -- both of which they own majority stakes of.
In addition to the Haslams, the Bucks' ownership includes fellow co-owners Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan.
“We are equally honored and excited for the opportunity to invest in the Milwaukee Bucks and join the Edens and Dinan families as partners,” Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “This ownership group has created a championship organization both on and off the court, a standard that is rare in sports, and we highly respect the team they have built. We have tremendous appreciation for the impressive history of basketball in Milwaukee and the passionate and loyal fan base. We appreciate the power of sports and its unique ability to bring people together and make a positive difference in our communities. We are thrilled to join the NBA and look forward to providing the support necessary for the Bucks to continue to achieve sustainable success.”
As for a potential playoff series between Milwaukee and Cleveland -- the latter of which the Haslams have maintained a strong presence since first purchasing the Browns in 2012 -- Jimmy admitted it might be uncomfortable.
“Would be awkward," Haslam said, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. "I’d have to sit in the suite for that one.”