The Browns have seemingly made their preference known for a new stadium site, as the NFL team looks beyond its current lease that ends in 2028.
On Wednesday afternoon, the franchise released renderings and a hype video for a proposed $2.4 billion domed venue in suburban Brook Park, about 15 miles away from the club’s current downtown stadium. “The more we have explored the Brook Park option, the more attractive it has become,” the Browns wrote in a letter to fans. “And we are excited to share the current vision with you.”
This comes less than a week after Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb announced a $461 million offer for publicly financed renovations to the Browns’ current open-air stadium. “Losing the Browns would harm Cleveland,” Bibb said. The Browns said they are evaluating that proposal and have requested additional information from the city.
Dome Sweet Dome
The Browns want to build a dome so they can bid on major events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, College Football Playoff games, MMA fights, and concerts. But the team said it can’t put a roof on its current stadium due to economic constraints and FAA restrictions.
The Brook Park site is the most compelling dome option for the Browns due to what the team calls its “central location for our regional fan base” and “proximity to downtown.”
Money Talks
The Browns said they are seeking a 50-50 partnership to fund the new domed stadium, excluding cost overruns, which the team would cover. That would come out to $1.2 billion in public money under the current terms. Earlier this year, the Brook Park City Council passed a resolution encouraging the Browns to strongly consider building a stadium there.
