Is Dan Gilbert Cleveland’s Best Owner?
Today, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert might be Cleveland’s best owner. He is at least their favorite. Is he the best?
Today Jimmy Haslam talked about a ton of Cleveland Browns problems in which he either is a complete buffoon or he thinks fans and media are idiots. Since Haslam has taken over he has had 3 head coaches, only 2 of whom he actually hired but only 1 has made it passed one season with Haslam (Mike Pettine still could be fired for all we know). Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi ran the team for a little while, Haslam didn’t like the power structure so he got rid of them and promoted Ray Farmer, who he today said was guilty of texting coaches during games. Here is the write up from our Network’s Browns site (New Window) on Haslam’s comments today.
The Browns have been bad during Haslam’s short tenure and the constant upheaval is concerning. The Browns just raised ticket prices as well, someone had to pay for the scoreboard, which isn’t helping Haslam’s cause at all. Haven’t mentioned the whole “FBI Investigation” but that is off the field so can we ignore it? Haslam’s approval rating is pretty low after great expectations when he took over.
Larry Dolan’s time as the Cleveland Indians owner has been marked by mediocrity at best. Since he and his family took over the Tribe from Dick Jacobs the Indians have often looked directionless. It wasn’t until Terry Francona was hired did fans have any bit of hope in the team. He has given them structure and an identity. During Dolan’s ownership the Indians have traded away C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee and lost Manny Ramirez in free agency in Dolan’s first season.
Fans have shown their displeasure for Dolan, and his ways, in attendance. Even with Tito and a team competing for a playoff spot all year, after making the playoffs the previous season, the Indians finished 2nd to last in attendance. Only the Tampa Bay Rays, whose stadium sits away from anything considered a city, was lower. Fans love the Tribe but from a far mostly, likely do to their distrust and dislike of Dolan.
That leaves us with Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Cavaliers owner and casino/mortgage mogul. Gilbert has seen the Cavs from the top (almost) of the NBA to the bottom and hopefully on the way back up. He gained the support of the fans most when he penned “The Letter” to LeBron James but it didn’t start or stop there. Before LeBron left Gilbert acquired Mo Williams, Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West, Shawuille O’Neal and Antawn Jamison all in hopes of getting the Cavs a championship.
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After LeBron left, Gilbert set a course of action and wasn’t afraid to move forward with it. He spent money, by taking on Baron Davis‘ contract, to acquire the LA Clippers pick that became Kyrie Irving. He pushed for the Cavs to build a team, a contender, through the NBA Draft and didn’t back down from it. It didn’t work but it wasn’t for lack of trying. The Cavs traded for picks, took on salary to get picks and made picks to try to build in this way. Fans saw the direction and stayed committed to the team. He paid to hire, and fire, Byron Scott and Mike Brown (again). He hired David Blatt, even though he had no idea that LeBron James was returning. He didn’t stop spending money or deviate from his plans to try to make the Cavs a contender once again.
Now LeBron came back home it changed the direction of the team but he hasn’t stopped. He okay’d a trade for Kevin Love instead of keeping 3 young pieces on cheaper contracts (Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a draft pick), signed multiple players and approved trades during the season that all increased the Cavs financial commitments.
Dan Gilbert has seen the Cavs from the ups and the downs and on the way back up. Fans have stayed committed to him, even through the rough times of a losing season, as they have seen that he is committed to them and the team. Haslam and Dolan have a long way to go before they start to compete with Dan Gilbert as the best, and fan favorite, owner in Cleveland.
Do you think Dan Gilbert is the best owner in Cleveland or just the one fans like the best (or both)?