Lasting less than a year, the George Kokinis era is already over in Cleveland. The Browns released a statement acknowledging his firing:

Cleveland Browns General Manager George Kokinis is no longer actively involved with the organization. In response to rumors and reports that Kokinis was escorted out of the building today, the Browns deny those reports. In the interest of protecting the parties involved we will withhold further comment.

The firing of Kokinis comes less than 24 hours after Browns owner Randy Lerner said the organization would add a new "credible, serious leader" to football operations.

The firing of Kokinis begs the question, will Eric Mangini be fired? As reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, there is no word that Lerner would be firing Mangini during the Browns' bye-week:

"I've never gotten a feeling otherwise in all of my conversations with Randy," Mangini said. "Randy and I share the same vision. We do talk quite a bit about what's the best way to achieve that."

Mangini said he is on board with Lerner's expressed desire to add "a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way."

Mangini said, "The objective is the same for both of us [to improve]. If you can add quality people that can help you get better, then you do that."

The Browns are on pace to tie a futility mark for the team, or their worst record. They currently have a 1-7 record which matches the mid-point mark of the 1999 expansion team that finished 2-14.

OTHER NEWS FROM THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Game 4 of World Series Seen by 22.8 Million Viewers
• An Interview with MLB Network's Victor Rojas
• LWIB: How Has MLB Weathered The Recession?
• World Series Viewership Remains Strong, Up 57% From '08
• Inside the World Series Multi-Year Contracts
• Cast Members from "Glee" to Sing World Series Game 3 National Anthem
• Dodgers' Andre Ethier Named "2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year"

(THE BIZ OF HOCKEY)

• BANKRUPTCY JUDGE APPROVES SALE OF COYOTES TO NHL
• Panel Installs Mike Ouellet As Acting Executive Director of NHLPA
• Ian Penny Steps Down as Interim Exec. Director of NHLPA
• NBCU & VERSUS: An Alternative to ESPN?
• Caps, Flyers Game Pushes VERSUS Ratings to Highest Point Since '05
• Moyes Agrees to Sell Bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes to NHL

(THE BIZ OF BASKETBALL)

• NBA.TV Adds Brent Barry to On-Air Talent Roster
• NBA Opening Night on TNT Sees Highest Viewed Regular Season Double-Header Since '96
• Timberwolves Unveil Two New Seating Areas At Target Center

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (select his name in the dropdown provided).

Follow Maury Brown on Twitter

Follow The Biz of Football on Twitter

Follow the Business of Sports Network on Facebook

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed