The Cleveland Browns have formally announced their plans to build a new $2.4 billion domed stadium situated just outside the city. This modern venue will serve as the centerpiece of a retail and entertainment district in Brook Park, located roughly 15 miles southwest of Cleveland.
In a public announcement, the team noted that after extensive discussions with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, they have determined that a new domed stadium offers more benefits than renovating the existing facility, which opened in 1999. “We also considered constructing a new stadium at various locations, both inside and outside of Cleveland,” the Browns stated. “Our detailed analysis revealed that merely renovating the current stadium would not solve many operational issues and would only serve as a short-term solution.”
Before making the announcement, Bibb shared that the team had briefed him on their plans. “We need to be realistic about our many necessities and available resources,” Bibb remarked during a City Hall press conference. “The city has consistently prioritized fiscal responsibility and the long-term advantages for all residents. As such, I am incredibly disappointed that our extensive discussions have prompted the Haslam Sports Group to consider moving to Brook Park.”
The lease for Huntington Bank Field will expire at the conclusion of the 2028 NFL season. In early April, Bibb disclosed a letter he sent to team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, expressing that the city was ready to contribute $461 million toward a $1 billion renovation of Huntington Bank Field, located in the revitalized downtown Cleveland. This proposal included a deadline of April 12, aimed at encouraging the Haslams to accept the funds and start renovations.
Nonetheless, in August, the team revealed their aspirations for a new domed stadium, proclaiming that it would create “a modern, dynamic, world-class venue that would substantially improve the fan experience and allow Ohio and our region to attract major global events throughout the year.”
The open-air Huntington Bank Field, which has views over Lake Erie, often bears the brunt of Ohio’s harsh winters. The Browns have maintained that the current structure “requires significant infrastructure modifications to effectively address our operational and fan experience challenges.” The stadium previously underwent a $120 million renovation from 2014 to 2015, shortly after the Haslams took ownership of the team from the Lerner family.
The Browns asserted that financing for the new dome would not draw from current taxpayer resources that could detract from other public services. “Rather, the over $2 billion in private investment, along with public funds, will spearhead a substantial economic development initiative that will generate the activity needed to service public bond debt through revenues produced by future projects and the Browns,” the team detailed.
The public negotiations between the involved parties are likely to ignite discussions regarding the invocation of Revised Code 9.67, commonly known as the “Art Modell law;” this decision could present challenges for the city, Brook Park, and the Haslams. The legislation prohibits professional sports teams using “a tax-supported facility for the majority of their home games” and “receiving public assistance” from relocating without providing six months’ notice and offering the team to local buyers first.
Revised Code 9.67 was enacted following the relocation of the original Browns, which were owned by Modell, to Baltimore in 1995. The city retained the franchise’s history and identity, which were later granted to the expansion team that the NFL established for the city in the 1999 season.
Image Source: The Cleveland Browns @ Instagram
