Remember to refresh this page throughout the day as updates are posted.
UPDATE 2:00PM: Lane Adkins has answered a number of questions about the
developing story in the
Ask the Insiders forum. We have placed a new poll on Carmen Policy's
performance as team president on the
front page of BerniesInsiders.com.UPDATE 10:00AM: Pat McManamon,
in an interview on WKNR, speculated that the reason for Policy's departure is
that the Browns President left the Browns due to a desire to retire to his Napa
Valley property. There is no indication that Policy's exit is due to a desire to
run for NFL Commissioner or head a franchise in Los Angeles - both rumors which
have been spread via the Internet. McManamon suggested that Collins is likely
not just a temporary fill-in, and that he did not sense any rift between Policy
and Davis.
UPDATE 9:45AM: Here is a press release we received from the team a few
moments ago:
Carmen Policy will be leaving the Browns at the end of the 2004 season. He
will remain for this season to help with the transition. John Collins,
currently the NFL’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, will become
the new President and CEO on May 1, 2004.
There will be a press
conference today in Berea at 3:30 p.m. – attendees will be Carmen Policy, Randy
Lerner and John Collins.
UPDATE 9:30AM: CBS Sportsline
now has a
report available.
UPDATE 9:00AM: Policy's press conference has been
pushed back to 3:30PM, according to radio reports. Lane Adkins reminded me this
morning that Policy has a long history of pulling team executives from the NFL's
marketing arm. The retiring Browns President pulled both Bruce Popko and Bill
Hampton from the NFL's offices in New York. John Collins would be the latest
marketing executive to head to Cleveland.
UPDATE 8:00AM: Here is
a link to Pat McManamon's story that doesn't require registration. The
Associated Press has picked up the story, using WTAM as a source. Policy, in
a quote replayed via WTAM, says that marketing guru Collins has "a passion for
football" and has "never worked at the club level". It is assumed that more on
Collins will come out during this afternoon's press conference.
UPDATE 7:45AM: John Collins, who was identified this morning as Carmen
Policy's replacement, is currently Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales
with the NFL. Here are a few examples of his appearances in the press:
Football Courts Younger Fans (USA Today),
Visa Renews Successful Partnership with NFL (Press Release),
Gatorade Renews
Sponsorship with NFL (Press Release).
UPDATE 7:30AM: During an
interview on radio station WTAM, Policy announced that he would step into a role
of "executive advisor" at the end of the season, essentially serving as a
consultant. John Collins, currently with the NFL in New York, has been named to
replace Policy. It hasn't been stated whether or not Collins is a temporary or
permanent replacement. Policy will hold a press conference at 3PM.
NEWS FLASH 7AM: In a surprise announcement, Browns Team President Carmen Policy is to announce his retirement from the Cleveland Browns this afternoon. The
news came first from Pat McManamon of the Akron Beacon-Journal
(registration required) this morning. This morning, Policy confirmed the reports and added details on local radio station WTAM.
The announcement was hinted at two days ago in a story by Peter King of Sports Illustrated.