Former Cleveland Browns executive Sashi Brown is resigning as the president of Monumental Basketball, the entity that owns the Washington Wizards, Mystics and G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Adam Schefter.
Brown is leaving the Wizards to return to the NFL as an executive with the Baltimore Ravens.
Brown had previously been the Cleveland Browns executive vice president. He joined the Wizards in 2019 after being dismissed by the Browns following the 2017 season.
Brown’s resignations from the Wizards comes just days after former Browns head coach Hue Jackson alleged, Jackson and Brown along with two other Browns executives, were paid bonuses for tanking (losing on purpose) during the 2016 and 2017 seasons to gain better position in the NFL Draft.
Cleveland compiled a 1-31 record during those two seasons.
Initial news of Brown’s resignation sparked chatter and speculation across social media. Some suggested his Wizards’ departure could be a result of Jackson’s allegations.
However, it appears to not be related as he will join the Ravens.
Brown’s departure still raises eyebrows around the NBA and Wizards’ interest. He signed a contract extension with the Wizards back in November along with GM Tommy Sheppard following the team’s ability to execute a blockbuster trade involving Russell Westbrook.
Among his numerous responsibilities, Brown oversaw research and information, team communications, finances, facilities security and player engagement.
Washington retooled this past offseason, trading away Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That was a year after trading 10-year cornerstone John Wall to Houston for Westbrook.
It will be interesting to see if there is more behind the departure of Brown.
