KODAK, Tenn. (AP) — Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam are selling the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball team.
Jimmy Haslam also is CEO of Pilot Flying J, which is under federal investigation into alleged rebate fraud. Lauren Christ, a spokeswoman for Pilot Flying J, said the sale of the Smokies wouldn’t affect Haslam’s ownership of the Browns and was unrelated to the investigation.
Randy Boyd, the CEO of Knoxville-based Radio Systems Corporation and a top education adviser to Gov. Haslam, is buying the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A Southern League affiliate, the team announced Friday. The move was first reported by the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
The Haslams will retain a security interest in the team. Terms weren’t released.
The deal awaits final approval from Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball.
