Update II: Whispers from the friendly confines of the Plain Dealer newscomplex tell Scene that Grossi’s errant, insulting tweet might have the Browns beat writer in trouble today. Newsroom rumors, which are all they are at the moment, have Grossi actually in the office today, which as one person pointed out, never happens. That might not be anything — he did have a taping of some inside sports videocast for Cleveland.com. But, the editors and bosses have been talking to everyone’s favorite “most irrelevant writer in Cleveland,” and folks are assuming it’s a dressing down.
***
Update: Earlier today, an apology was posted on Cleveland.com on behalf of the paper:
“Last night, Plain Dealer Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi made an inadvertent, inappropriate post to Twitter concerning Browns owner Randy Lerner. Grossi has reached out to Lerner to apologize. The Plain Dealer also apologizes.”
And during his video podcast, Grossi also apologized, saying this:
“Last night there was a comment attributed to me on my Twitter account. It was inadvertent, it was inappropriate, and I do apologize for it. I’ve reached out to Randy Lerner to apologize to him for it and we’ll just leave it at that. It was inappropriate and not meant to be tweeted, but it was inappropriate nonetheless.”
**
Browns owner Randy Lerner went on the Triv show yesterday for an interview. (You can listen for yourself here.) Naturally, this is of interest to Browns fans, and, you would think, the Browns beat reporter for the Plain Dealer.
But not so much. At least, not in a tangible news sense. Only as an excuse to fire away with an opinion what was likely meant as DM to someone, but which found its way to the public eye.
Here’s what Grossi had to say, after telling Twitter that he didn’t listen to the interview, because, ya know, covering the Browns isn’t really his job or anything: “He is a pathetic figure, the most irrelevant billionaire in the world.”
Gee, Tony, don’t hold back now.
In other news, Grossi is a pathetic figure. The most irrelevant beat writer in Cleveland.
(Screengrabs via Cleveland Frowns.)
This article appears in Jan 18-24, 2012.
Stand behind your tweets, Tony! Les Levine would hire you if the Browns got the PD to fire you! LOL. Oh, and get Aaron G. at WKNR fired as well…just connect him…Brinda too (he’s been DONE doing anything useful for at least 10 years).
Tony Grossi should be thanked for finally speaking up about the Browns.Its about time someone had the balls to say something about this travesty,they have not been a football team for many many years.These big name people(Holmgren,Heckert Shurmer) have come to Cleveland and have been paid millions and millions of dollars for the Cleveland Browns to become the laughing stock of Pro football in this country.They are stealing money from a guy that has plenty to go around.
Cleveland is a town made of many different types of people who really love sports and have always loved the Browns.Most of the fans are working class stiffs like myself,who loved sports and really didnt care about much money the King or anybody else made for a living.We just wanted to watch a good football,baseball,or basketball game by players who really tried to win.We dont need to win all the time,but we do need to try and win all the time,that is a team.Someone explain that to these genius’s, what the word Team means and then they need to put that on the field and you will once again enjoy sports in this town.
I like Randy Lerner as an owner…..he hires who he and his group decide are the best people for the job and lets them do it…..if they fail..and they have…he get rid of them and repeats the process……WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT HIM TO DO?
IMO….Tony Grossi is PATHETIC and INEPT.
Somebody needs to address that this a-hole blocks everyone who criticizes him on Twitter. Not that Grossi actually disseminates any relevant information, but the simple fact that he makes himself inaccessible to his audience should be a major concern to his bosses.
I am not a huge fan of Triv, but I have to say this was a fair and positive interview. Everyone knows that despite the fact that Triv says he is not kissing Randy’s ass, he is, and he should. Al was a top power and a class act so far as super-rich guys go. He was one of the giants of Cleveland history and deserves the positive reputation which he created. I think Randy has done very well at not just the Browns responsiblity but also with managing the huge fortune which he and his family own. You think owning a football team is pressure, try being responsible for billions of dollars. I am not sure where the comment about Randy being a worthless bilionaire came from, but I would put him up against any other billionaire in Ohio..not that there is much competition from guys like the billionaire owner of the underwear business in Columbus…or the media control-freaks down there who just may be Tony’s boss now and others at the PD and not just KO.
The story goes something like this: Steve’s dad Warren and Al Learner worked together selling funiture back in the 50s (I think). Al went out to make a name and a fortune and asked Warren if he would like to come along. Warren said he was happy with the nice commissions he wa making and that he was providing for his new and young family and that he was good at selling furniture and that he wished Al all of the luck and they parted. Warren sold furniture his entire life and made a good living and raised two good kids, Steve and Tracey, and made everyone he came into contact with happy and comfortable. Steve would tell me this story about those early days and his Mom telling his Dad, ‘Why in the fuck didn’t you go with Al Learner, Warren? We would be on top of the world instead of living in a two story house in the slums of Shaker.’
Warren would just remain quiet and watch a football game or bs with Steve. Like Al Learner, Warren B. is a class act. Hi Steve and Warren and Tracy..I miss you.
I love Tony Grossi’s picture on his twitter page. It looks like he’s simultaneously taking a huge dump while feeling really guilty for eating that last cookie you really wanted to have.