Cleveland is ramping up its efforts to keep the Browns from moving to a proposed stadium in the suburbs.
Instead of staying at their current location downtown, the city is taking legal action to block the NFL team from leaving the lakefront area after its stadium lease expires following the 2028 season.
City’s Legal Action
Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are planning a massive $2.4 billion project that includes a new stadium and an entertainment complex in Brook Park, about 15 miles south of Cleveland.
On Tuesday, the city filed a lawsuit in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in response to these development plans.
This legal move is charged with emotion for many Browns fans who remember the heartbreak of 1995, when the team, under owner Art Modell, departed for Baltimore after failing to secure a new stadium deal.
That betrayal led to the creation of the “Modell Law,” which requires professional sports teams receiving state funds for their facilities to obtain consent before relocating or provide prior notice.
The law, enacted in 1996, gives residents the right to take steps toward buying the team or finding a new owner.
In its lawsuit, the city contends that the Browns have violated this law by not fulfilling either requirement.
Browns’ Response and Legal Proceedings
So far, the Browns have not publicly responded to the city’s legal action.
Earlier in October, the franchise informed Mayor Justin Bibb of their intentions to build an advanced stadium, which they indicated would involve public funding support.
Since 1999, the team has played at Huntington Bank Field, a site established following the city’s acquisition of an expansion team after Modell’s departure.
In a parallel development, the Browns have initiated their own legal proceedings aimed at clarifying the “Modell Law,” with cases currently ongoing in federal court.
Previous Legal Context
It’s worth noting that the Haslams previously utilized this law to their advantage.
The legislation played a crucial role in keeping the Columbus Crew, a Major League Soccer team, from leaving Ohio’s capital in 2019.
This situation ultimately led to the Haslams’ acquisition of the franchise.
Additionally, Haslam Sports Group holds a minority stake in the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA.
Earlier discussions saw the city propose an investment of $461 million toward renovating the existing 65,000-seat stadium, aiming to persuade the Browns to remain in Cleveland.
Source: Insurancejournal.com
