Whitney Johnson — Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner

Whitney Haslam Johnson is Managing Partner of Haslam Sports Group (HSG). Whitney’s vision and direction helps lead the family-run business, utilizing her expertise in communications, marketing, brand, fan and team member experiences to influence every major decision related to the organizational ethos of win, fan and community. 

HSG explores various investment opportunities within the sports and entertainment industries. HSG’s current portfolio includes ownership of the Cleveland Browns, 2023 and 2020 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew, a controlling interest in the Milwaukee Bucks, and an investment in the WNBA. The Bucks investment also includes control and operation of Fiserv Forum; the Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center, the team’s training center, the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks G League affiliate; and Bucks Gaming, the team’s 2K League affiliate. 

As part of her role as Partner, Whitney helped lead the strategic vision for the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus Expansion in Berea. The new neighborhood, which was broken ground on in June 2025, will consist of over 16 acres and will be utilized for a variety of spaces benefiting the region, including community, medical and multifamily living and commercial spaces with an anticipated opening of early 2027. S 

Whitney was pivotal in the recruitment and execution of the 2024 MLS-All Star Game hosted in Columbus, the first at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field and third in Crew history. In 2026 with her support, the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games announced the global event’s first official competition would come to Ohio as the venue was selected as one of seven to host matches for the LA28 Olympic Football (Soccer) Tournaments. 

Whitney’s career at Pilot Flying J started as a category manager and creative services manager in 2005 and she worked in various roles before she was named Chief Experience Officer. Whitney’s contributions were instrumental in further establishing Pilot Flying J as one of the most dynamic and recognizable brands across North America. Whitney began her career at Marriott International Hotels where she was an assistant controller from 2001-03. Whitney graduated with a Finance Degree from the University of Georgia in 2001.  

Whitney led the Southeast fundraising efforts for the 2004 Bush-Cheney re-election campaign. She has served on the board of directors for the Knoxville Museum of Art and Second Harvest Food Bank
of East Tennessee, as well as on committees for the United Way of Greater Knoxville. Currently, she is on the board of University of School in Cleveland, Ohio and serves on strategic committees for University Hospitals. Sports Business Journal named Whitney a “Game Changer” in 2018.  

Whitney and her husband JW Johnson have three sons – Hank, Ross and Max – and reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.