James Wood “JW” Johnson III is a Partner of the Haslam Sports Group (HSG). Johnson helps lead the strategic direction of the organization’s business side, particularly focused on media, marketing, partnerships, fan experience and digital content. HSG owns and operates the Cleveland Browns, Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC and the Milwaukee Bucks.
In addition to his role on the business side with the Browns, Johnson served as a head coach and general manager search committee member that identified Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry to lead the organization in their respective areas in January 2020. He was also one of the Browns’ primary advocates, along with ownership and other team executives, in bringing the NFL Draft to Northeast Ohio in 2021. On May 22, 2019, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL announced that Cleveland would host the 2021 NFL Draft in partnership with the City of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and Destination Cleveland.
In 2023, the NBA Board of Governors approved an HSG ownership share purchase of the Bucks, giving the family-run conglomerate ownership stakes in three of the five major North American professional sports leagues.
HSG was formed in 2019, shortly after JW, his wife Whitney, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, and other Haslam family members expanded their sports interests and investments when they reached an agreement with Major League Soccer to operate the Columbus Crew. The Haslams, Johnsons and partner Dr. Pete Edwards direct the organization’s long-term strategies and day-to-day functions. After only two seasons as investor-operators, the club captured the MLS Cup in 2020, their second championship in league history. In 2023, the Crew brought the second championship to HSG when they captured another MLS Cup, their third overall, with a 2-1 victory over LAFC. Less than two years after breaking ground, the Crew opened their newly constructed downtown Columbus stadium, Lower. com Field, in July of 2021. Designed to complement the city of Columbus’ modern, dynamic, and diverse characteristics, Lower.com Field will anchor a mixeduse development neighborhood called Astor Park. The club also completed the construction of a world-class training facility named the Ohio Health Performance Center in June 2021.
HSG’s current portfolio includes the Cleveland Browns, operating rights to the Columbus Crew, a controlling interest in the Milwaukee Bucks and current investments in Misfits Gaming Group, StatusPro, Jackpot.com, Lyte, Cast Iron Media, Wicket, ChargeFUZE, WNBA, ManCan and Courtside VC.
Johnson’s professional background includes 15 years at CBS Sports, three years with RIVR media, and in 2013, he created 3 Sons Media, a creative agency and full-service production and post-production company based in Nashville, Tenn. The company has worked with the NFL, NIKE, ESPN, and NASCAR brands. 3 Sons created all the in-game video content for the Tennessee Titans in 2016 and helped produce the Browns’ in-game content for several seasons.
While with CBS Sports (1994-09), Johnson was an Emmy award-winning associate producer and associate director. He covered some of the most significant sporting events in the world, such as the Masters, Super Bowl and Final Four.
Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and communications from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Cleveland Browns Foundation and chairs the foundation’s fundraising committee. He is also a board member for Destination Cleveland and was named to the UH Haslam Sports Innovation Advisory Panel.
He and his wife, Whitney, have three sons: Hank, Ross and Max.
