Browns sold to Steelers' minority stockholder

Here's one to make Cleveland fans shake their heads: A partial owner of the hated Pittsburgh Steelers is buying the Browns.

Randy Lerner has reached a deal to sell the club to Tennessee truck-stop magnate Jimmy Haslam III -- a minority stockholder in the rival Steelers.

Lerner will sell 70 percent of the Browns to Haslam now, with the other 30 percent going to him four years after the closing date, a person with knowledge of the sale told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details have not officially been announced.

"To own such a storied franchise as the Cleveland Browns, with its rich tradition and history, is a dream come true," Haslam said through the team. "We are committed to keeping the team in Cleveland and seeing it get back to the elite of the NFL -- something all Browns fans want and deserve."

ESPN reported the sale price was more than $1 billion. The deal requires approval by 24 of the 32 owners and is expected to happen in September.

Asked if he was surprised by the deal, team president Mike Holmgren said: "On one hand, the surprising part was the time of the year. But in this business, I gave up being surprised a long time ago."

Panthers release Otah

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney announced the team has terminated the contract of offensive tackle Jeff Otah, a former first-round draft pick, after he failed a physical. Otah's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, said his client is "one thousand percent" committed to playing again this season. Carolina dealt Otah to the Jets on July 23 but the trade was rescinded after Otah failed a physical, and he went back to the Panthers. -- AP