As much as you don’t want to harp on the state of the economy when talking about sports (they are supposed to be a distraction from it, after all), it’s getting harder and harder not to as sports leagues become affected by everything. I mean, when a league as strong as the NFL has to start laying off employees that’s when you know something is terribly, terribly wrong.

(”This is where I want the gold-plated 42-inch plasma”)

It’s not just the league, either, as teams have had to let workers go over the last few months in an effort to save money. For instance, the Cleveland Browns had to lay off 18 people this offseason, and that doesn’t even include Romeo Crennel and the rest of his deposed coaching staff. Well, new coach Eric Mangini is very happy the Browns are saving the money they would have needed to pay all those folks. He’s so happy that he’s now demanding they spend it on changes to the team’s facilities.

From the PLAIN DEALER:

[The Browns] are sinking more money into their headquarters facility in Berea to suit the place to coach Eric Mangini’s specifications.

The highest-priced change, according to sources, involves moving the team’s video department from the first floor to the second to be closer to the coaching offices.

The move will create more meeting room and classroom space on the first floor and will require several modifications to the building. The cost of this project was estimated to be in the vicinity of $500,000. Another source disputed that figure as “very inaccurate,” but wouldn’t elaborate.

Mangini also wants changes made to the locker rooms, where a row of lockers currently separates the offense and the defense. Mangini would prefer an open locker room, which is understandable for team unity.

What’s not so understandable? Making the team pay $500,000 when they’re laying off employees, so Mangini doesn’t have to walk down an extra flight of stairs to get to the video room from his office. Though I’m guessing Mangini’s biggest beef is having to walk back up the stairs when he’s done.

For Eric’s next trick, during the Browns next canned food drive, instead of donating the food to the poor Mangini will demand it all be delivered to his house.