Raiders Hall of Famer Declined Browns Ownership Stake Over NFL Alcohol Policy

Charles Woodson refused to remove his name from his wine and whiskey brands to meet league requirements.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Oakland Raiders star Charles Woodson was in talks to purchase a 0.1% stake in the Cleveland Browns, but the deal fell through because he refused to remove his name from his alcohol brands, Woodson's Intercept Wines and Woodson Whiskey, to comply with NFL policy. Woodson, who is originally from Ohio, said he was unable to take his name off the products he had built since 2019 and the Browns ultimately did not approve his ownership bid.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges professional athletes face when trying to transition into team ownership roles, as leagues often have strict policies around conflicts of interest, particularly when it comes to alcohol. Woodson's decision to prioritize his personal business over the Browns ownership opportunity provides insight into the difficult choices athletes must make when navigating the business side of sports.

The details

Woodson was set to purchase a 0.1% stake in the Browns, worth around $4 million. However, the NFL required him to remove his name from his wine and whiskey brands, which he refused to do as that was a key part of building those businesses since 2019. As a result, the Browns did not approve Woodson's ownership bid, and he was unable to become a part-owner of the team.

  • In 2019, Woodson launched his Woodson's Intercept Wines and Woodson Whiskey brands.
  • In 2026, Woodson was in talks to purchase a 0.1% stake in the Cleveland Browns.

The players

Charles Woodson

A former Oakland Raiders player who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Woodson is originally from Fremont, Ohio, less than two hours from Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns

The NFL team based in Cleveland, Ohio that Woodson was in talks to purchase a small ownership stake in.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I thought I was going to be a proud owner of the Browns but it wasn't able to happen because I wasn't able to take my name off of my product. It's what made the product. It's how I started so I wasn't able to do that.”

— Charles Woodson (Front Office Sports)

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges former athletes face when trying to transition into team ownership roles, as leagues often have strict policies that can conflict with their existing business interests. Woodson's decision to prioritize his personal brand over the Browns ownership opportunity shows the difficult choices athletes must make when navigating the business side of sports.