The Ohio legislature has given the green light to a state budget that includes funding for the Cleveland Browns to build their much-discussed indoor stadium in the suburb of Brook Park.
$600 Million Greenlit for Browns Stadium
This past Wednesday, both the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives voted to approve a budget that sets aside $600 million for the new indoor stadium. The Browns made their intentions crystal clear last year when they announced plans to build the facility in Brook Park, which sits close to their training complex in Berea and about 15 minutes from their current downtown Cleveland stadium.
The funding comes through a newly created Sports and Culture Facility Fund, which will tap into $1.7 billion from the state’s massive $4.8 billion pool of unclaimed funds. While $600 million goes to the Browns’ project, the team will pay this back using tax revenues from the Brook Park development. The remaining $1.1 billion sits ready for future sports and entertainment facility projects, which could include potential upgrades to the Cincinnati Bengals’ stadium.
Legal Battles and Modell Law Revisions
The Browns and the city of Cleveland found themselves locked in a bitter legal battle over the team’s relocation plans, with both sides filing lawsuits connected to the Modell Law, which originated in the 1990s to keep Ohio teams from fleeing the state. But the recently revised Modell Law, slipped into the approved state budget as a last-minute amendment, should put these disputes to rest by confirming the Browns will stay within Cuyahoga County, making the city’s lawsuit essentially pointless.
Browns Lock Down Land, Private Funding Promise
The Haslam Sports Group, led by owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, has consistently argued that no viable stadium location exists within Cleveland’s city boundaries and has remained confident their Brook Park move would get the thumbs up. A report from WKRK 92.3 The Fan indicates the Browns plan to close on roughly 176 acres next to Cleveland Hopkins Airport by week’s end for their stadium and entertainment complex.
The Haslam Sports Group has committed $1.2 billion in private funding plus coverage for any cost overruns. The stadium’s total price tag is estimated at $2.4 billion.
Governor’s Potential Veto and Opposition Lawsuit
Governor Mike DeWine still has the power to veto any portion of the budget before the June 30 deadline, though he had originally suggested raising funds by doubling the state sports betting tax rather than issuing $600 million in bonds or using unclaimed funds, which is the approach that got approval.
Meanwhile, attorneys Jeff Crossman and Marc Dann have declared their intention to file a class-action lawsuit representing unclaimed fund owners, claiming that redirecting these funds without owner permission amounts to theft and violates constitutional principles.
Construction Schedule and Local Reactions
Assuming all approvals fall into place, the new stadium is expected to welcome fans for the 2029 NFL season, which coincides with when the Browns’ current lease expires. The Haslams hope to break ground in early 2026, depending on this budget’s passage and the development of what they’re calling a \”sports and entertainment district.\”
Earlier this year, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb slammed the Brook Park proposal as \”the Haslam scheme,\” calling it a \”ploy\” that would bump up taxes, make attending games more expensive, and pull events away from downtown Cleveland.
The city had pushed for renovating the existing stadium, built in 1999 on the site of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, but the Browns have repeatedly shot down the renovation idea as a \”short-term fix\” that wouldn’t solve long-term problems.
Photo credit: Sue Ogrocki \/ Associated Press
