Early Life and Career
Michael Brown was born on August 10, 1935, in Massillon, Ohio. He is the son of Paul Brown, the legendary coach who founded the Cleveland Browns and co-founded the Cincinnati Bengals. Mike Brown graduated from Dartmouth College in 1957, where he played quarterback, and then from Harvard Law School in 1960.
Rise to Success
Brown joined the Bengals when the franchise was founded in 1968, serving as the assistant general manager. He became the principal owner in 1991 after his father's death. Under Brown's leadership, the Bengals have reached the Super Bowl three times (XVI, XXIII, and LVI), and the team is now valued in the billions. His daughter, Katie Blackburn, plays a key role as executive vice president.
Key Business Strategies
Mike Brown has prioritized family involvement in the Bengals organization, with multiple family members holding key positions within the team. Brown has also focused on building the Bengals as an asset for Greater Cincinnati. Furthermore, the Bengals are involved in digital marketing and audience analytics. The family's focus on football has been consistent.
Philanthropy
The Brown family is committed to community service in the Cincinnati area. In 2008, Mike Brown and the Bengals donated $250,000 to assist the Cincinnati Park Board. In 2017, Brown and his family received the Pillar Award for Community Service's Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award. The Bengals support over 100 organizations annually. The Michael O. D. Brown We Love Our Sons & Daughters Foundation hosts the Michael O.D. Brown Memorial Scholarship Dinner.
