Jimmy Haslam is an American businessman and sports entrepreneur best known for owning the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League and co-owning the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. He is the CEO of Pilot Flying J, a truck stop franchise started by his father in 1958. Haslam and his family have built the firm into one of the largest privately owned enterprises in the United States, with a concentration on truck stops, travel centers, and convenience stores.
Haslam, who was born on March 9, 1954, in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduated from the University of Tennessee in business and finance. His financial ability and leadership enabled Pilot Flying J to become a prominent participant in the travel and energy industries while facing legal hurdles, including a rebate fraud incident in 2013. Although Haslam was not charged, the investigation resulted in settlements and fines.
In 2012, Haslam acquired a majority stake in the Cleveland Browns. During his tenure, he has made a number of changes in coaching and management in order to establish a competitive squad, and the Browns have gradually improved under his ownership. Haslam also became a part-owner of the Columbus Crew in 2019, which helped keep the team in Ohio when relocation was a possibility.
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About Jimmy Haslam’s Family
Jimmy Haslam hails from a well-known business family with extensive roots in Tennessee. His father, James Haslam II, started Pilot Corporation in 1958 as a modest gas station in Virginia, which later expanded into Pilot Flying J, one of the major truck stop and travel center chains in the United States. His mother, Cynthia Haslam, was active in the family company and the local community.
Jimmy has a younger brother, Bill Haslam, who was the Governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019. Bill is also a businessman and participates in the family’s humanitarian activities. The Haslam family has a long history of giving, with a focus on educational, healthcare, and community development initiatives in Tennessee.
Jimmy Haslam is married to Susan “Dee” Haslam, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist. Dee Haslam is the CEO of RIVR Media, a Knoxville, Tennessee-based production business that specializes in reality and lifestyle TV programs. She is also a co-owner of the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, where she is involved in team operations and community involvement. They have three children and are active in a variety of humanitarian causes, including campaigns to enhance education and healthcare and promote social justice.
The Haslam family has endured various hurdles, including legal problems surrounding Pilot Flying J, yet they continue to wield significant power in both business and sports. They are known for their continued philanthropic efforts, notably in Ohio and Tennessee, where they have funded community projects and educational activities.
Jimmy Haslam Net Worth
Jimmy Haslam net worth is expected to be between $8 and $8.7 billion by 2024. His wealth is mostly derived from his ownership in Pilot Flying J, a prominent truck-stop franchise founded by his father, which the Haslam family sold in phases to Berkshire Hathaway. The last sale, which occurred in early 2024, raised an extra $2.6 billion for the family’s remaining 20% ownership. Pilot Flying J has grown to become one of the largest private corporations in the United States, with more than 725 sites.
Beyond Pilot Flying J, Haslam has broadened his investments, particularly in sports. He owns the Cleveland Browns (NFL), has an interest in the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), and is affiliated with the Columbus Crew (MLS) through the Haslam Sports Group, which he co-manages with his wife, Dee Haslam.
