National Basketball Association

Cavs owner Gilbert buys football team

Published Jan. 17, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert added a football team to his burgeoning sports empire.

Gilbert has purchased the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League, a team that plays its games in Quicken Loans Arena. Gilbert, who bought the Cavaliers in 2005, also owns the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League, the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League and is opening two casinos in the next year.

The Cavaliers, Gladiators and Monsters all play at Gilbert's arena.

Gilbert's acquisition of the Gladiators was announced Tuesday. He bought the club from area attorney Jim Ferraro, who moved the franchise from Las Vegas in 2007.

Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar is a team adviser.