Dee Haslam
{{short description|American businesswoman (born 1954)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dee Bagwell Haslam
| birth_name = Susan Bagwell
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|7|5}}
| birth_place = Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S
| occupation = Businesswoman, NFL and MLS team owner, television producer
| spouse = {{marriage|Jimmy Haslam|December 11, 1976}}
| children = 3
| alma_mater = University of Tennessee
| mother = Sue Bagwell
| father = Ross Bagwell
| awards = Two-time MLS Cup champion
}}
Susan "Dee" Haslam{{cite web|url=http://volsconnect.com/s/1341/utk/index.aspx?sid=1341&gid=2&pgid=3621|title=Dee Bagwell Haslam ('86)|website=volsconnect.com|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213259/http://volsconnect.com/s/1341/utk/index.aspx?sid=1341&gid=2&pgid=3621|url-status=dead}} (née Bagwell, born July 5, 1954) is an American businesswoman. She is the founder and executive producer of RIVR Media and CEO of the Haslam Sports Group. Dee is a co-owner of the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL), along with her husband, Jimmy Haslam. The Haslams are also majority investors in the ownership group of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS) – with two MLS Cup champions during their tenure (MLS Cup 2020 and 2023), and have a partial ownership stake in the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Outside of sports, she is a part of the family ownership group of the truck stop chain Pilot Flying J.{{cite web|url=http://www.rivr.com/about/people/|title=People | RIVR Media|publisher=rivr.com|access-date=2014-02-06|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202105626/http://www.rivr.com/about/people/|url-status=dead}}
Early life and education
Haslam is the daughter of Ross Bagwell Sr. and Sue Burchfield Bagwell. Ross Bagwell is a pioneer in cable television, having produced thousands of hours of programming. He built one of the largest privately held production companies in the United States before selling to Scripps Howard in 1994.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}
Dee was raised on Long Island in her early years while her father attended NYU and worked for NBC. Upon returning to Knoxville, she completed her elementary school at Bearden Elementary and then middle school at Cedar Bluff. She attended Farragut High School for one year before transferring to Webb School of Knoxville, where she was a classmate with Jimmy Haslam.
Dee studied violin, was a girl scout, and participated in sports and clubs in high school. She and her brother, Ross, were very close growing up and later worked together in the family business. Ross Bagwell Jr. died in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/pioneer-in-cable-television-industry-dies-at-56-ep-410945363-359755881.html/|title=Pioneer in cable television industry dies at 56|access-date=August 5, 2018}}
After graduating from Webb,{{cite web|url=https://www.webbschool.org/page/news-detail?pk=717374|title=Webb Alumnae Dee Haslam, Sharon G. Lee Named YWCA Tribute to Women Honorees|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=August 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805172607/https://www.webbschool.org/page/news-detail?pk=717374|url-status=dead}} Haslam attended The University of Tennessee, graduating with a B.S. in Education. She also minored in art and still paints as a hobby.{{cite web|url=http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/zest-for-life-should-serve-new-owner-jimmy-haslam-well-with-browns-1.341894|title=Zest for life should serve new owner Jimmy Haslam well with Browns|last=mridenour|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113722/http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/zest-for-life-should-serve-new-owner-jimmy-haslam-well-with-browns-1.341894|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://archive.knoxnews.com/business/dee-haslam-ross-bagwell-sr-receive-kamas-top-honor-322f1053-629d-7263-e053-0100007fbe6d-378457441.html/|title=Dee Haslam, Ross Bagwell Sr. receive KAMA's top honor|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095402/http://archive.knoxnews.com/business/dee-haslam-ross-bagwell-sr-receive-kamas-top-honor-322f1053-629d-7263-e053-0100007fbe6d-378457441.html/|url-status=live}}
In the spring of 1976, Dee and Jimmy began dating, and they married on December 11, 1976. They worked alongside each other in their respective family businesses throughout their careers. Partnering on finding store locations, business transactions, and major challenges. In 2012, they bought the Cleveland Browns and began their working together in earnest.
Career
At the age of 17, Haslam began working for her father at Bagwell Advertising, answering the phone. As her father began to grow the production company, Cinetel Productions, she also worked on the production projects. While at Bagwell Communications, she was an account executive. In 1994, when the company was sold to Scripps Howard, Dee left along with her father and brother to form a new company: Bagwell Entertainment/Ross Television Productions. In 1998, Dee and Rob Lundgren partnered to acquire Ross Television Productions and launch RIVR Media. Lori Stryer joined Dee and Rob as a partner a few years later.
Together they have produced such hits as Trading Spaces for TLC, Whale Wars for Animal Planet, and Renovation Realities for HGTV and DIY Network, and Escaping Polygamy for A&E.{{cite web|url=http://www.aetv.com/blog/news/escaping-polygamy-returns-for-a-powerful-second-season-on-ae-network-sunday-july-10-at-10pm-etpt|title="Escaping Polygamy" Returns for a Powerful Second Season on A&E Network Sunday, July 10 at 10pm ET/PT|website=Aetv.com|access-date=August 5, 2018}} Haslam is also senior executive for RIVR Digital and Nest Features.{{cite web|url=https://www.bw.edu/news/2017/dee-bagwell-haslam-to-speak-at-spring-commencement|title=Dee Bagwell Haslam to Speak at Spring Commencement|website=Bw.edu|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141522/https://www.bw.edu/news/2017/dee-bagwell-haslam-to-speak-at-spring-commencement|url-status=live}}
Haslam is a member of The Academy of Television Art and Sciences,{{cite web|url=http://alumni.utk.edu/s/1341/alumni/interior_alumni.aspx?sid=1341&gid=2&pgid=3621|title=Dee Bagwell Haslam ('86)|website=alumni.utk.edu|access-date=August 5, 2018}}"[http://www.farragutchamber.com/newsletter/200703.pdf Dee Haslam To Speak At Chamber Breakfast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125081446/http://www.farragutchamber.com/newsletter/200703.pdf |date=November 25, 2013 }}," Chamber Life (Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce newsletter), Vol. 20, No. 3 (March 2007), p. 1. the International Women's Forum,"[http://www.akroncf.org/ContactUs/NewsEvents/ViewArticle/tabid/96/ArticleId/190/WEF-event-to-feature-famed-TV-producer-Dee-Haslam.aspx WEF Event to Feature Famed TV Producer Dee Haslam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714113407/http://www.akroncf.org/ContactUs/NewsEvents/ViewArticle/tabid/96/ArticleId/190/WEF-event-to-feature-famed-TV-producer-Dee-Haslam.aspx |date=July 14, 2014 }}," Akron Community Foundation website, March 12, 2014. C200, and the Society of International Business Fellows,"[http://www.sibf.org/news/110430/Dee-Haslam-TN-09-Launches-Film-Studio.htm Member Press: Dee Haslam (TN, '09) Launches Film Studio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727223440/http://www.sibf.org/news/110430/Dee-Haslam-TN-09-Launches-Film-Studio.htm# |date=July 27, 2014 }}," Society of International Business Fellows website, December 4, 2012. She serves on the executive board of directors of the United Way of Greater Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, University Hospitals, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Greater Columbus Partnership, Emerald Youth Foundation, Lakeshore Park, the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business Advisory Council and the State Collaborative on Reforming Education in Tennessee. In May 2017, she was appointed to the board of ExcelinEd.,{{cite web|url=http://www.excelined.org/team/dee-bagwell-haslam/|title=Dee Bagwell Haslam - ExcelinEd|website=Excelined.org|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920200613/https://www.excelined.org/team/dee-bagwell-haslam/|url-status=live}}"[http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2013/0528.asp Meeting to Kick Off Public Process for Lakeshore Park's Future] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716214720/http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2013/0528.asp# |date=July 16, 2014 }}," City of Knoxville website, May 28, 2013. the Unify Project and the Cleveland Orchestra, and as president of the Cleveland Browns Foundation."[http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Cleveland-Browns-launch-First-and-Ten-global-volunteering-platform/fddee341-1edd-429b-8ad9-aa6d61df8ec6 Cleveland Browns Launch First and Ten Global Volunteering Platform] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607054357/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Cleveland-Browns-launch-First-and-Ten-global-volunteering-platform/fddee341-1edd-429b-8ad9-aa6d61df8ec6 |date=June 7, 2014 }}," Cleveland Browns official website, June 4, 2014.David Cheek, "[http://www.sconsettrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SconsetTrustNews6pgFall10.pdf Letter from the Chair]," In 'Sconset, Fall 2010.[http://tnscore.org/about/board/ Board of Directors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724063649/http://tnscore.org/about/board/ |date=July 24, 2014 }}, SCORE official website. Retrieved: June 25, 2014."[http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2014/03/15/emmy-nominated-producer-dee-haslam-to-be-featured-at-women-s-endowment-fund-dinner Emmy-Nominated Producer Dee Haslam To Be Featured At Women's Endowment Fund Dinner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726090918/http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2014/03/15/emmy-nominated-producer-dee-haslam-to-be-featured-at-women-s-endowment-fund-dinner |date=July 26, 2014 }}," Hudson (OH) Hub-Times, March 15, 2014.{{Cite web|title=Cleveland Browns|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/front-office-roster/dee-haslam|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.clevelandbrowns.com|language=en-US|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306062426/https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/front-office-roster/dee-haslam|url-status=live}}
=Sports ownership=
On August 2, 2012, Dee, Jimmy and the Haslam family agreed to purchase the Cleveland Browns. The sale was unanimously approved by NFL owners on October 16, 2012, and the closing took place on October 25.
In 2014 and 2015, the Cleveland Browns, completed a $125 million renovation project of Huntington Bank Field in partnership with the City of Cleveland. The project included new videoboards, additional lower bowl seating and new and refurbished club and premium spaces, as well as new food and beverage selections throughout the venue.
Prior to the Cleveland Browns' 2016 season, the Haslams and the City of Berea agreed to invest nearly $15 million in the team's training facility. The development addressed various areas throughout the building, focusing primarily on team spaces for coaches and players, as well other aspects for the business side of the organization. Through the construction, the team renovated 25,000 square feet of space, added 25,000 square feet to the facility and redesigned the locker room, player meeting rooms, player lounge, cafeteria, training room and installed a lap pool and new hot and cold tubs. The renovation also added a 4,600 square-foot wellness center for Browns employees. The Browns and the City of Berea have also agreed to a lease extension to keep the Browns' headquarters in the city through at least 2039.
In May 2019, the NFL announced that the 2021 NFL draft would be hosted in Cleveland. The Haslams and Browns partnered with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, City of Cleveland and Destination Cleveland on the bid to bring the event to Northeast Ohio.{{Cite web|title=2021 NFL Draft to be hosted in Cleveland|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-to-be-hosted-in-cleveland|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.clevelandbrowns.com|language=en-US|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127175613/https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-to-be-hosted-in-cleveland|url-status=live}}
As part of the NFL, Haslam serves on the Legislative Committee, Conduct Committee, and Social Justice Committee.{{cite web|url=http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-owner-dee-haslam-discusses-controversial-draft-pick-caleb-brantley-we-feel-like-he-s-doing-the-right-things-to-get-better-1.767392|title=Browns owner Dee Haslam discusses controversial draft pick Caleb Brantley: 'We feel like he's doing the right things to get better'|website=Ohio.com|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519034428/http://www.ohio.com/sports/browns/browns-owner-dee-haslam-discusses-controversial-draft-pick-caleb-brantley-we-feel-like-he-s-doing-the-right-things-to-get-better-1.767392|url-status=live}} She and Jimmy received the Tank Younger Award from the Fritz Pollard Alliance for having built one of the most diverse front offices in all of sports.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/2/12/8032193/jimmy-and-dee-haslam-named-paul-tank-younger-award-winners-for|title=Jimmy, Dee Haslam Receive Paul 'Tank' Younger Award|website=Dawgsbynature.com|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141505/https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2015/2/12/8032193/jimmy-and-dee-haslam-named-paul-tank-younger-award-winners-for|url-status=live}} Haslam was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Baldwin Wallace University in May 2017 after giving the school's commencement speech.
Haslam Sports Group received operating rights for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew in January 2019. The Crew won the MLS Cup 2020, giving the Haslams their first major sports championship as owners. After acquiring those rights, Crew SC and Columbus officials announced the team would build Lower.com Field in Confluence Village and the OhioHealth Performance Center, located at the current site of Historic Crew Stadium. Both venues opened in the summer of 2021.{{Cite web|title=Crew Stadium|url=https://www.crewstadium.com/index.php#construction-cam|access-date=2020-11-25|website=www.crewstadium.com|archive-date=October 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004172615/https://www.crewstadium.com/index.php#construction-cam|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=June 8, 2020|title=Columbus Crew SC break ground on new training facility, set to open in summer of 2021|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/06/08/columbus-crew-sc-break-ground-new-training-facility-set-open-summer-2021|website=MLSsoccer.com}}
In 2023, Dee Haslam and her husband purchased Marc Lasry's share of the Milwaukee Bucks. They became co-owners of the team with Wes Edens and Jamie Dinan.{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2023 |title=NBA approves sale of Marc Lasry's share of Milwaukee Bucks |url=https://www.wisn.com/article/nba-approves-sale-of-marc-lasrys-share-milwaukee-bucks/43603489 |access-date=April 18, 2023 |website=12 WISN |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415065836/https://www.wisn.com/article/nba-approves-sale-of-marc-lasrys-share-milwaukee-bucks/43603489 |url-status=live }}
Awards and honors
Sports ownership
- Two-time MLS Cup champion (2020 and 2023 as co-owner of the Columbus Crew)
Television
- Parents' Choice Award for Moving Picture Books
- Genesis Award for Whale Wars
Charity work
- Delta Delta Delta Community Volunteer Award
- YWCA Tribute to Women Community Service Award
Business
- Junior Achievement Business Award
- New York Festivals World Medal
- University of Tennessee Distinguished Alumni Award{{cite web|url=http://tntoday.utk.edu/2011/11/03/college-business-honors-alumni/|title=UT College of Business Honors Alumni Haslam, Baron, Safavi|date=November 3, 2011|website=Tntoday.utk.edu|access-date=August 5, 2018}}
- Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award{{Cite web |url=http://www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle-award-catagories |title=Pinnacle Award Catagories [sic] | Knoxville Chamber |access-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511085048/http://www.knoxvillechamber.com/pinnacle-award-catagories |archive-date=May 11, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and numerous ADDYs and Tellys.
- Cleveland Crain's 2018 Women of Note
Personal life
Dee Haslam is married to Jimmy Haslam. The couple has three children, James Bagwell Haslam, Whitney Haslam Johnson and Cynthia Haslam Arnholt and 6 grandchildren.{{Cite web |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/staff/dee-bagwell-haslam/35468577-bd75-44ce-8bd1-5969101c5c08 |title=Cleveland Browns: Dee Bagwell Haslam |access-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724122742/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/staff/dee-bagwell-haslam/35468577-bd75-44ce-8bd1-5969101c5c08 |archive-date=July 24, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
They reside in Tennessee and Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Jarboe |first=Michelle |date=October 12, 2012 |title=New Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his wife, Dee, buy Bratenahl mansion for $4.1 million |url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/10/new_cleveland_browns_owner_jim.html |access-date=August 5, 2018 |website=Cleveland.com |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163056/https://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/10/new_cleveland_browns_owner_jim.html |url-status=live }}
References
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Category:Businesspeople from Knoxville, Tennessee
Category:American women television producers
Category:University of Tennessee people
Category:Television producers from Tennessee