LeBron James’ LRMR marketing agency has severed ties with embattled quarterback Johnny Manziel.
It might not be long before the Browns follow suit.
“We’ve decided to end our formal business relationship with Johnny,” Akron native Maverick Carter, James’ business partner who runs LRMR, told Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon on Wednesday.
Fenway Sports Management, which assists in James’ marketing deals, is parting ways with Manziel as well, according to the report.
“I will continue to support and advise him as a friend,” Carter added. “However, because Johnny needs to focus on personal growth, the next phase of his career and because LRMR continues to expand beyond marketing, we made the mutual decision that it was best to terminate our business relationship.”
Manziel signed with the agency in January 2014 when the former Heisman Trophy winner was leaving Texas A&M University and before the Browns drafted him 22nd overall in the spring.
Since then, Manziel’s hard-partying lifestyle has contributed to several embarrassing off-field incidents and led him to check into a rehabilitation facility specializing in alcohol and drug addiction treatment nearly a year ago.
The latest episode in the saga unfolded this past weekend.
USA Today reported Manziel enjoyed the nightlife in Las Vegas on Saturday night, two days after the Browns ruled him out for Sunday’s season finale with a concussion. According to ESPN Las Vegas, Manziel tried to disguise himself at a club on the strip by wearing a blond wig, fake mustache, glasses and hoodie while introducing himself as “Billy.”
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Manziel failed to show up for scheduled treatment required of those in the NFL’s concussion protocol Sunday morning at team headquarters in Berea.
Earlier Wednesday, James expressed concern for Manziel when he met with the media.
“I don’t know all the details on [the Vegas story],” James said. “I really kind of even haven’t been all up on it, but I’ve heard a little bit of it and it’s just a distraction for not only himself but for everyone that’s around him, including family, people that represent him, the people around him. He’ll figure it out at some point, we all hope.”
The Browns have likely run out of patience.
On Sunday night, Haslam said new vice president of football operations Sashi Brown would decide Manziel’s fate along with a yet-to-be-hired head coach and general manager.
Haslam also stressed the importance of finding a legitimate franchise quarterback, a description Manziel has failed to fit, and ended his statement by pointing out, “We do have the second pick in the draft.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.