Cleveland, OH
NE Ohio business partners capitalize on licensing deal with Joe Flacco (photos)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Some people might have thought signing a 38-year-old quarterback was a longshot idea when their team was on the cusp of the playoffs. But Columbus-based Where I’m From, an apparel company with roots in Northeast Ohio, saw an opportunity, and they signed him, too.
The company is run by Ryan Napier, a self-described “lifelong Browns fan” who has season tickets and makes it to about half a dozen games a season, and his business partner Andrew VanderLind.
Because of how quickly Joe Flacco has become a favorite in Cleveland – his fourth NFL team – Napier and VanderLind had to work extremely fast to get the deal in place.
“This has definitely been my favorite one – the most challenging to put together, the most hectic, and the most fun to be a part of,” Napier said.
They have about 15 to 20 Flacco items, which include fleece, shirts and others with assorted designs and graphics like “Flacco Fan Since ‘23.” Flacco is the only current Browns player in their apparel roster, which has included Baker Mayfield, Joe Burrow, Collin Sexton and others.
Most of the time, those deals involve discussions that can last months and involve a long-term contract of a year or more, Napier said.
“Obviously,” he said, “we didn’t have that luxury with Joe Flacco.”
Sales are tied to the success of Flacco, who stormed into Cleveland and seamlessly fit in with teammates as he picked up a new offense. With the Browns, he has thrown for 13 touchdowns in five games. In all likelihood, Flacco will top 44,000 career passing yards when the Browns face the Houston Texans this Saturday in a Wild Card matchup.
“Despite how well things are going, we know there is a cap on the time, how long the runway is going to be,” Napier said. “It might end this weekend, or it might end in the middle of February.”
That means Napier and VanderLind have had to communicate, negotiate and allow “enough time to capitalize on this magical moment. It was a very heavy lift and a very big challenge, but very worthwhile.”
Northeast Ohio is a huge sales location, said Napier, who said other Flacco shirts exist through licensing deals through the NFL Players Association, but Where I’m From is the only company that has a deal directly with Flacco and his representatives.
“That’s what makes us different,” he said. “We are officially licensed with Joe. We collaborate and have been on Joe’s Instagram and Twitter. We run everything by them and obviously have a lot more leeway to do things with his likeness.”
The arrangement avoids cease-and-desist orders from a celebrity’s people to unlicensed sellers, so the business can be kept on track.
Where I’m From is closing in on a 10-year anniversary. Napier and VanderLind grew up in Canton and went to Ohio University. Both shared an entrepreneurial spirit.
“We were always kicking ideas off each other and seeing if there was ever an opportunity to do something together. One day we said, ‘Why not take the leap?’ “
The initial necessary capital was fairly limited for a localized-apparel company, he said. They got a website and checked out potential sales markets. The first year and a half saw slow but steady growth.
They started with kiosks, then expanded to seven full stores throughout the state. They carved out a large distribution footprint via retailer deals with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Rally House and DSW. Those collaborations have put Where I’m From in more than 600 stores across the country.
The Flacco items have been on the market for about 10 days, and the end is, well, no one knows.
“We’ll keep producing them as long as the demand is there,” Napier said. “It’s a little trickier than a lot of the other relationships. There’s not able to be as much planning or able to see what the long term looks like. We’re flying a little bit by the seat of our pants to see what the demand is and take it day by day.”
That means walking a tightrope of having the right amount of inventory – not enough means missed sales. Too much and a Browns loss means the company gets stuck.
But Napier is keeping a hopeful, optimistic outlook on the outcome of Saturday’s game. Maybe, just maybe, the ride extends to February, a time when Browns fans usually watch other teams play.
“Oh my gosh,” Napier said, “that would be an absolute dream come true.”
Sports betting is now legal in Ohio. Bets can be placed at sportsbooks, including DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook, BetMGM Ohio, Fan Duel Ohio, Barstool Ohio, Caesars Ohio, Bet365, PointsBet and Tipico.
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Browns merchandise for sale: Find hoodies to hats, socks to tumblers, wall décor, jerseys and more – including sales and next-day shipping.
I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. For my recent stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy, is “Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe” by Gray & Co.
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Cleveland, OH
All Future Cleveland Cavaliers Draft Picks in 2026, 2027 & Beyond
As we move closer to the 2026 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers will begin to put together their roster structure for the 2026-2027 season.
As the Cavaliers weigh their options with the 29th selection in this year’s draft, the future draft capital of the Cavs is pretty thin.
Although the Cleveland Cavaliers have consistently been drafting at the end of the first round, and in last year’s case, just having a second-round pick, they have shown a strong ability to draft well in the post-LeBron era.
Players like Collin Sexton and Darius Garland may no longer be with the organization. They have both shown the ability to be high-level NBA Players. Evan Mobley has been the Cavs ultimate draft selection since he’s been on the roster, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, also being named to an All-Star Game, Second Team All-NBA, and All-Defensive team.
Even Ochai Agbaji, who never played a game for the Cavaliers, helped Koby Altman and staff secure Donovan Mitchell in a trade with the Utah Jazz.
With the Cavs being all-in on chasing an NBA Championship since getting Mitchell in a trade, the Cavs have made a lot of trades to limit their draft capital. We will dive into how things look for the future and what it means for the Cavs.
2026: 1st Round Pick (29th overall)
The Cavaliers currently own the San Antonio Spurs pick in the 2026 NBA Draft due to the first DeAndre Hunter trade when the Cavs acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta originally had the Spurs pick when they traded it to the Cavs, and it ended up being a pick swap where the Cavs received the lowest pick for the 3 teams.
The Cavaliers do not have their second round pick in this years draft as they attached it to Darius Garland in the Los Angeles Clippers trade for James Harden this past January.
2027: No picks
The Cavaliers do not own their 2027 pick, and it has been moved since they traded it. The Memphis Grizzlies will receive the most favorable pick in this draft between the Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Utah Jazz, while the second most favorable pick will go to the Phoenix Suns. The Cavs 2027 Second-Round pick goes to the Chicago Bulls.
2028: First Round Pick
In 2028, the Cavs hold their first-rounder. They will receive the least favorable pick between themselves, the Utah Jazz, and the Atlanta Hawks. Utah will receive the more favorable pick between themselves and the Cavs, while Atlanta will get the more favorable pick if it is their own or the least favorable pick of Cleveland and Utah. The Cavs 2028 second-rounder goes to the Utah Jazz from the Donovan Mitchell trade.
2029: No Picks
The Cavs 2029 first-round pick gets a little confusing. Utah will get the most favorable pick between Cleveland, Minnesota (Top 5 Protected), and the Jazz pick to Utah, the second most favorable pick will go to Charlotte. The Cavs do not own their second-round pick in 2029; it will go to the Atlanta Hawks.
2030-2032: First Round Pick
The Cavs own their first-round pick outright between 2030-32. They do not own any of their second-rounders as 2030 goes to San Antonio, 2031 goes to either the Boston Celtics or Utah, and the least favorable goes to Boston. Their 2032 second goes to Utah.
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Cleveland, OH
Man shot on Cleveland’s West Side
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man was shot in Cleveland’s Cudell neighborhood Tuesday night.
Cleveland Police 1st District officers responded to the 10100 block of Madison Ave around 9:00 P.M.
A man approximately 45 years of age was found with a gunshot wound.
EMS took the victim to MetroHealth Hospital. This incident remains under investigation.
There is no information on any suspects or arrests.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Leaders in Washington and Cleveland take aim at affordable housing in Northeast Ohio
CLEVELAND — Ahead of her Third Annual Housing Expo this Saturday at Tri-C Corporate College East, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) rolled out her Safe and Affordable Housing Agenda on Tuesday. It’s a series of four bills aimed at lowering home costs while strengthening lead paint and pipe abatement.
“We wanted to bring something forward that would improve the living conditions, to make things more affordable and more accessible for not only the constituents of Ohio’s 11th Congressional District but those who are experiencing the same challenge across the country,” Brown told News 5.
The Housing Supply Fund Act is legislation that encourages the building of more affordable housing by filling financing gaps that are holding back construction. The legislation would establish a competitive program within the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund to address financing gaps that prevent otherwise viable housing projects from moving forward.
“We want to make sure we do not give up on affordable housing; we want to make sure that it is more accessible,” Brown said.
There is also the Affordable Housing Preservation and Protection Act, which is legislation to maintain and preserve existing HUD-assisted housing. This legislation establishes a new HUD preservation authority to provide targeted financing and intervention tools for distressed HUD-assisted multifamily properties at risk of deterioration, foreclosure, or loss of affordability.
The bill is designed to help preserve affordable housing, facilitate responsible ownership transitions, and protect existing federal housing investments serving seniors, working families, and vulnerable residents.
The other two bills introduced deal with the issue of lead abatement. The GET THE LEAD OUT Act of 2026 would create a new federal grant program to replace lead pipes, fixtures, and taps. The legislation would create a broad federal framework to address lead in drinking water and housing by funding removal of lead-based pipe and tap hazards, establishing training and certification requirements, directing federal standards and state programs, and integrating lead plumbing remediation into major housing programs. Brown’s legislation creates new authorities and financing mechanisms to drive national action on residential lead plumbing hazards.
The Removing Existing Pipes with Lead and Advancing Clean Environments (or REPLACE) Act improves existing lead paint and lead pipe removal programs within the federal government. This legislation would amend existing HUD and Safe Drinking Water Act authorities to strengthen lead-paint hazard remediation in housing, improve local implementation capacity, and better coordinate paint and pipe removal efforts.
“We know that this has been a longstanding issue in the City of Cleveland,” she said. “What we’re doing is trying to supplement and amplify the opportunities to be able to address these issues that have long-standing impacts in our community.”
Brown’s announcement comes on the heels of the Bibb administration’s announcement of the creation of the Housing Innovation District, a 1,500-acre swath of land covering St. Clair, Superior and Hough where efforts will begin this summer to repopulate streets that have lost more than half of their homes in recent decades with new housing starting on East 67th south of St. Clair, where ten homes will go up later this year.
A recent New York Times piece cited that among the barriers to building more housing are restrictive zoning and permitting, something the city addresses in this district.
“One of the big things that we’re doing is eliminating permit fees for single-family home construction, which is again a real sort of barrier to this sort of work,” said Tom McNair, Mayor Justin Bibb’s Chief of Integrated Development.
They also established what they call a “Pattern Book,” where they’ve pre-approved designs for certain types of homes in this district to speed up the process.
“When there’s a vacant lot that the city owns, it will be like this is the home you want, this is the lot you want to build on, here’s your permit,” he said.
Congresswoman Brown sees their efforts helping citizens towards the same goal.
“Our legislation would dovetail perfectly into what the mayor is putting forth as well,” she said. “People are doing all of the right things, they’re working hard, but they’re still having trouble getting ahead, and we want to be able to again address that gap as it relates to the opportunity to build wealth in our community, and this legislation will certainly help put people on a pathway to do that.”
Part of that pathway includes Brown’s Housing Expo for constituents of the 11th Congressional District. “It’s a one-stop shop for everything housing, so whether you are a renter or whether you are a first-time home buyer, whether you are looking to renovate, whether you are a senior that’s aging in place. We wanted to bring every aspect of the housing industry under one umbrella, and so we will do that.”
Constituents can register for the free event here.
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