Browns VP’s Pitch to Disgruntled Season Ticketholder Falls Flat

Orlando fan calls out team’s leadership for repeated draft busts and ticket license proposal

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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An Orlando-based Browns season ticketholder, Jeff House, wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the team’s leadership under owner Jimmy Haslam. After House refused to renew his season tickets, he received a call from the team’s VP of ticket sales, Mike Judge, who tried to convince him to keep his tickets. However, House doubled down on his complaints about the team’s poor draft history, the proposal to institute expensive ticket licenses, and Haslam’s overall lack of football expertise.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing frustration among some Browns fans with the team’s leadership and direction under owner Jimmy Haslam. As the team continues to struggle on the field, some long-time supporters are questioning whether to continue renewing their season tickets, posing a potential financial risk for the organization.

The details

In his letter, House cited several high-profile draft busts under Haslam’s ownership, including quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert. He also criticized the team’s proposal to institute ticket licenses that could cost up to $50,000 per seat, calling it a ploy to line Haslam’s pockets. After House refused to renew his season tickets, the team’s VP of ticket sales, Mike Judge, called him to try to convince him to keep his tickets, but House remained steadfast in his criticism of the team’s leadership.

  • In January 2026, House wrote an initial letter to the editor about not renewing his Browns season tickets.
  • In February 2026, House received a call from Mike Judge, the Browns’ VP of ticket sales, in response to his letter.

The players

Jeff House

A long-time Browns season ticketholder from Orlando, Florida who has decided to stop renewing his tickets due to his frustrations with the team’s leadership and performance.

Jimmy Haslam

The owner of the Cleveland Browns, who House criticizes for the team’s poor draft history and lack of football expertise.

Mike Judge

The Vice President of Ticket Sales for the Cleveland Browns, who called House in an attempt to convince him to renew his season tickets.

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What they’re saying

“Bottom line is that the Haslam group knows nothing about football. Please, stick with gas stations.”

— Jeff House, Browns Season Ticketholder (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The Browns organization will likely continue trying to retain season ticket holders like House, but may face an uphill battle in convincing some long-time fans to renew their tickets given the team’s recent struggles and the proposed ticket license fees.

The takeaway

This story underscores the challenges facing professional sports franchises in maintaining fan loyalty, especially when team leadership is perceived as out-of-touch or making decisions that prioritize profits over on-field performance. The Browns’ efforts to retain disgruntled season ticket holders like House will be an important test of their ability to rebuild trust with their fanbase.