Cleveland Browns: 5 reasons to keep Odell Beckham after this off-season

Fanbase is massive

The Cleveland Browns fanbase has been battered over the last 15 or so years. So many Clevelanders have become a Pittsburgh Steeler fan over the years, or have reverted back to being an OG Browns fan (Baltimore Ravens). While there’s no denying the Browns have a massive and widespread fanbase beyond the city’s borders, inside is another story.

Part of reviving the fanbase and bringing fans back to the Browns is all about giving fans a reason to. That means competent play on the field, signing home-grown stars, and having the ability to acquire superstars of Beckham’s name value to play for your team. Beckham isn’t someone you can just shake a stick at in regards to his popularity. He’s a bonafide superstar in regards to his reach and fanbase. Part of the hope of bringing people like Beckham to the team is that they bring their fans with them.

It’s partly the reason why teams get primetime games the same year they draft a highly touted rookie. Remember when Johnny Manziel got drafted? That very year Manziel and the Browns found themselves in a prime time game, merely because the fans wanted to see what Manziel could do on a national stage. Granted Brian Hoyer started that game, but still, the Browns got that spot because of the hype of Manziel getting drafted.

With Beckham, there are more eyes on the Browns and with more eyes comes more possibilities of bringing fans back to the team. Maybe they won’t be old Browns fans who have since jumped to the Steeler bandwagon, but maybe they’ll be fans who stick around longterm. Having stars on a team is the best way to sell tickets, merchandise, and get on the highly valued national televised games.