The Cleveland Cavaliers have a new partner in town, and it’s a familiar one at that.
Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has purchased a minority stake in the Cavs, according to a news release on Wednesday afternoon.
Garrett was drafted first overall by the Browns back in 2017 and has been a fixture at Cavaliers games since then. He’s gone so far as to go through pregame warmups with the Cavaliers NBA Summer League team out in Las Vegas each of the last two years.
“I have admired the Cavaliers organization’s hard work, tenacity and dedication to the community since my early days in Cleveland,” said Garrett. “To have the opportunity to join this impressive and purpose-filled franchise, under Dan’s leadership, is truly a dream come true.”
Myles Garrett taking his talents to the hardwood for the Cavs at Summer League đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/fUiFvvhQoB
— Alex Onaindia (@AlexOnaindia) July 8, 2023
Previously, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has stated that the team wants Garrett to be retired from playing basketball during the offseason. Aside from warming up with the Cavs during summer league, Garrett has frequently posted videos on social media of himself playing pick up basketball and also participated in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Cleveland back in 2022. Now he’ll have a more prominent front row seat at local NBA games as an official Cavaliers brand ambassador.
“As a leader on and off the field, Myles has become a Cleveland icon and shares in our organization’s commitment to being a transformative force for good across the region,” Cavaliers Chairman and Governor Dan Gilbert said in a release. “We are honored to welcome this long-time friend of the team as our new partner and investor. Myles’ passion and commitment to the city he loves will allow us to reach new communities and continue to build the successful future of this franchise.”
Garrett’s move to purchase a stake in the Cavaliers could create a bit of a rivalry within the Browns. Dee and Jimmy Haslam, the owners of the Cleveland Browns, are also co-owners of one of the Cavaliers’ rivals, the Milwaukee Bucks.
After the news was announced, the Cavaliers made their black jerseys numbered 95 with Garrett across the back available for pre-order to celebrate.
The Cavaliers begin the 2023-24 season on the hardwood Wednesday night in Brooklyn against the Nets, while Garrett and the Browns will look to move to 5-2 on the season this Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks.
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