In an unexpected move, the Ohio State athletic department has issued a press release asking fans of Cleveland sports teams to “no longer take any interest in Ohio State teams or players.”

The move comes just days after Ohio State was upset in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament by the Kentucky Wildcats and in the midst of an evolving scandal involving head football coach Jim Tressel.

“Nothing good ever happens to fans of Cleveland sports,” said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith in the release. “It would be best for all of us if those fans would disassociate themselves with our program and find another school to root for.”

Smith went on to suggest the University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and the entire SEC as candidates for Cleveland’s affection.

A source close to the athletic department says the decision to confront Cleveland fans was made after much deliberation. However, after two straight days of discussion, according to the source, the evidence was overwhelming.

“You can start with the basketball team’s tournament performances the last few years,” said the source, who is familiar with the meetings and spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss the matter. “From there, go back to the football team’s loss in Wisconsin this past season and multiple recent losses in BCS bowl games. When you combine that with Cleveland’s well-documented history, it all makes sense.”

Opponents of the move cited the football program’s win over Arkansas in the Fiesta Bowl in January and the 2003 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami, which gave them the BCS National Championship, as proof Cleveland’s fans were not adversely affecting the athletics program, said the source. However, proponents cited that both wins came with controversy attached and were still not recognized as legitimate by some pundits and fans around the country.

“While we have not decided how to approach Cleveland sports fans living in Columbus,” said school president Gordon Gee in the release, “we would recommend that they begin to familiarize themselves with the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.”

The release specifically mentions that those living in the 440, 216 and 330 area codes are banned from cheering for Ohio State, wearing Ohio State paraphernalia and wishing their favorite pro teams would draft Ohio State players. Fans living outside of those areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Fans requesting an exemption may do so in writing to the university within 90 days.

“We are thankful for the support of the fans of Cleveland for so many years,” said head football coach and Berea native Jim Tressel. “We wish them the best of luck and, in the unlikely event that one of their teams wins a championship before everyone there dies, I’m certain we would be more than happy to reconsider.”

Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson said through a spokesperson that he was unaware of any affiliation between the city of Cleveland and Ohio State sports and felt the city would be fine, especially because “we still have LeBron James to cheer for.”