Jimmy Haslam
James Arthur Haslam III | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 9, 1954 United States |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, sports executive |
| Known for | Chairman of Pilot Flying J; owner of Cleveland Browns, Columbus Crew, part-owner of Milwaukee Bucks |
| Spouse | Susan "Dee" Bagwell Haslam |
James Arthur Haslam III (born March 9, 1954) is an American entrepreneur and executive in the sports industry. He holds the position of chairman of the board at Pilot Flying J, a prominent chain of truck stop facilities. Together with his wife, Dee, he owns the Cleveland Browns (NFL), the Columbus Crew (MLS), and possesses a partial ownership interest in the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA). During his tenure, the Columbus Crew captured two MLS Cup championships in 2020 and 2023.
His father, Jim Haslam, established the Pilot Corporation in 1958.
Personal life
Residing in Knoxville, Tennessee, Haslam is the older sibling of former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. He is married to Susan "Dee" Bagwell Haslam, who serves as CEO of RIVR Media and shares ownership of both the Browns and Crew. The couple has three grown children—James Bagwell Haslam (adopted in 2016), Whitney Haslam Johnson, and Cynthia Haslam Arnholt—as well as five grandchildren.
Haslam attended the University of Tennessee, where he was a fraternity brother of future U.S. Senator Bob Corker through their membership in Sigma Chi.
Pilot Flying J
Haslam's professional journey began at his father's company, Pilot Corporation, in 1976. By 1980, he was appointed vice president overseeing sales, development, and operations. At that time, Pilot managed 100 convenience stores with annual fuel sales approximating 125 million gallons. The company launched its inaugural travel center in 1981, and by 1996—when Haslam assumed the roles of president and CEO—it operated 96 travel centers alongside 50 convenience stores, with total fuel sales reaching 1.2 billion gallons. In 2001, Pilot Corporation collaborated with Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC to create Pilot Travel Centers LLC.
In 2008, CVC Capital Partners acquired nearly half (49.8%) of Pilot Travel Centers LLC, enabling Marathon Petroleum Company's exit; Pilot Corporation maintained a 50% stake. The Haslam family repurchased CVC Capital Partners’ shares in 2015, restoring full ownership. Pilot Corporation continues to wholly own its convenience store division. In 2010, Pilot Travel Centers LLC merged with Flying J Inc. Later, in 2012, Pilot Flying J acquired Western Petroleum and a controlling interest in Maxum Petroleum, establishing Maxum Enterprises LLC (Pilot Logistics Services). In 2014, a merger between Pilot Logistics Services and Thomas Petroleum resulted in Pilot Thomas Logistics—now one of North America’s fastest-expanding energy logistics firms.
Ranked among America’s top ten largest private companies, Pilot Flying J employs more than 24,000 individuals. Its extensive network provides customers access to over 70,000 truck parking spots, around 4,800 shower facilities, and approximately 4,300 diesel fueling lanes equipped with DEF pumps.
In April 2013, federal agents from the FBI and IRS conducted a search related to an ongoing five-year fraud investigation involving Pilot Flying J. The company subsequently compensated affected customers and agreed to pay a $92 million fine as part of a Criminal Enforcement Agreement.
Philanthropy
Haslam holds a board position with Anderson Media Corporation and has been actively involved with organizations such as United Way of Greater Knoxville, Lakeshore Park in Knoxville, and the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO). He has served as campaign chair for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, and United Way of Greater Knoxville.
Engaged in political activities, Haslam was Tennessee’s statewide campaign chair for Senator Bob Corker in 2006 and served as Statewide Finance Chairman for Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, his brother, during the 2012 election cycle. His achievements include induction into the Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame in 2007 and receiving the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award for the Southeast region in 2010. The University of Tennessee recognized him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013; he also co-established the Haslam Scholars Program aimed at top honor students at the university.
In 2001, Jimmy and Dee Haslam created Haslam Giving—a nonprofit umbrella organization encompassing the Haslam 3 Foundation, Columbus Crew Foundation, and Cleveland Browns Foundation. The Haslam 3 Foundation supports charitable groups within Ohio and Tennessee communities.
Haslam has contributed endowments to multiple initiatives: including the Haslam Sports Innovation Center at University Hospitals, the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics along with an Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, as well as the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.
National Football League
In 2008, Haslam secured a minority ownership position in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Four years later, in 2012, he agreed to acquire the Cleveland Browns from then-owner Randy Lerner for $1 billion. According to Forbes in 2011, the Browns were appraised at $977 million, placing them 20th among NFL franchises. Due to league regulations prohibiting ownership of multiple teams, Haslam divested his stake in the Steelers. The transaction to purchase the Browns received unanimous approval from all 32 NFL franchises on October 12, 2012, and the deal was completed thirteen days afterward.
Since assuming control partway through the 2012 season at game seven and continuing through week five of 2024, Haslam's Browns have compiled a record of 70 wins, 123 losses, and one tie. The franchise recorded its first winning season under his leadership in 2020 with an 11–5 finish and achieved its inaugural playoff victory by defeating the Steelers 48–37 during the Wild Card round of the 2020–21 NFL playoffs.
Major League Soccer
At the end of 2018, Haslam acquired ownership of Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew from Anthony Precourt, who had intended to relocate the club to Austin, Texas. Ownership officially transferred to Haslam, his wife Dee, and former team physician Pete Edwards on January 1, 2019.
During Haslam’s tenure as owner, the Crew claimed the MLS Cup 2020, marking his debut major sports championship. The team went on to capture a second MLS Cup title in 2023.
National Basketball Association
In 2023, Haslam and his wife purchased a 25% ownership share in the Milwaukee Bucks from Marc Lasry for $800 million. This acquisition made them co-owners alongside Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan.
Awards and Honors
Sports Ownership
- Two-time MLS Cup champion (2020 and 2023) as co-owner of the Columbus Crew
Business
- Inducted into Junior Achievement of East Tennessee Business Hall of Fame (2007)
- Recipient of the Significant Sig Award from the Sigma Chi Foundation
- Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010
- Honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Tennessee College of Business Administration in 2011
Previous Directorial Positions
- University of Tennessee Athletics
- Innovation Valley, Inc.
- First Horizon National Corporation
- Clayton Family Foundation
- Federal Reserve Board Energy Advisory Council
- National Association of Convenience Stores Leadership Council
- Cleveland Clinic