Mike Holmgren not attending NFL's Tuesday vote on Jimmy Haslam's purchase of Cleveland Browns

CHICAGO -- Browns President Mike Holmgren has not accompanied Jimmy Haslam to the NFL owners' meeting here, where Haslam will be approved today as new owner of the Browns, team spokesman Neal Gulkis said.

Originally, Holmgren had planned to attend. Gulkis said he didn't know why Holmgren decided not to come.

Likewise, former Eagles President Joe Banner, who's set to join Haslam in Cleveland once the transfer of ownership is complete,will not be here. Banner's role with the team will be defined shortly after Haslam takes over, and Holmgren's status could be determined at that time.

Haslam said recently he didn't plan to discuss personnel changes until after the season. Haslam was stopped briefly by reporters on his way into the hotel and said he was excited about the big day. He also said he wasn't sure of the process.

"I'm a rookie," he said. As for his new team, he said, "We've got a lot of work to do."

Haslam's approval requires a three-fourths vote, or 24 of 32 teams, but Steelers owner Art Rooney II told the Plain Dealer he thinks it will be unanimous.

?The only question some owners might have is that Haslam is still in the process of divesting his 12.5 percent stake in the?Steelers. Rooney said the club hopes to sell Haslam's shares to existing stockholders, and that the process will ?take several months. He said Haslam will have dual ownership during that time, but that the NFL's Finance Committee has worked out an agreement whereby Haslam wouldn't be privy to any Steelers information during that time.

"It won't be a problem,'' said Roonye II.

Current Browns owner Randy Lerner, who will retain a 30 percent share in the team, will not attend the meeting.

Casting the vote for the Browns will be?Executive Vice President of Business Operations Bryan Wiedmeier. He and Neal Gulkis, Vice President of Media Relations are the?only two members of the Browns in attendance.

Haslam is not permitted in the room during voting, which will take place in the morning.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/mike_holmgren_not_attending_nf.html

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