• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

Will Browns Stay in Downtown Cleveland? Mayor Turns to City for Stadium Help

  • The Haslams have contemplated moving the team to a domed stadium in the suburbs.
  • Bibb is seeking $461 million to publicly finance stadium renovations.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb is turning to his constituents to help keep the Browns from moving to the suburbs. 

The negotiations between Bibb and team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam went public Thursday when Bibb announced a $461 million offer for publicly financed stadium renovations. 

Before Thursday, Bibb had kept negotiations between the city and team private. But the change comes days after Jimmy Haslam said he was still considering moving the team to a domed stadium in Brook Park, a suburb southwest of downtown by the area’s airport. 

“Losing the Browns would harm Cleveland and all Clevelanders. … Lower spending downtown would negatively affect tax revenues that provide essential services for a city in need. It would close businesses, cost jobs, empty out storefronts, and make our downtown feel less alive.” Bibb said in a press release. “We also can’t lose sight of how a new venue would cost taxpayers—including Clevelanders—hundreds of millions more while undermining the city and region’s other critical needs. A strong urban core drives success for the entire region.”

Parts of Bibb’s plan to keep the team downtown include giving the team $367 million ($227 million of which would come from increased taxes) over the 30-year lease term, with a five-year renewal option, and turning over two parking areas for the team to use on game days, potentially generating almost $100 million in revenues. 

Additionally, the city would waive the $250,000 the Browns pay in rent, which is consistent with the lease agreements of the city’s other two professional sports teams, the Guardians and Cavaliers. 

Bibbs also made a letter to the Haslams public. It asks for a response from the owners by Aug. 12. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

WNBA Players Reject League’s First CBA Offer

Players felt the initial proposal wasn’t “entirely responsive” to their request.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.
exclusive

PGA Tour Slashes FedEx Cup Winner Pay From $25M to $10M

The FedExCup is reworking how it distributes its bonus money.

Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Includes Huge Tax Hike for Pro Gamblers

It was not clear who lobbied for this provision to be included in the bill, or why.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
June 26, 2025

Bengals Strike 10-Year, $470M Stadium Deal to Stay in Cincinnati

The NFL franchise and Hamilton County have agreed to a new lease.
July 1, 2025

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 26, 2025

Browns $2.4B Stadium Plan Now Relies on Ohioans’ Forgotten Money

Ohio’s Modell Law is revised, while stadium funding faces new challenges.
June 25, 2025

MLB’s Bold Bristol Plan: Inside the Renovation and Potential Records

Work accelerates to convert the massive motorsports venue for baseball.
June 24, 2025

Diamondbacks Score Up to $500M for Chase Field Renovation

Concerns about another potential team relocation in Arizona influence the vote.
June 23, 2025

A’s Launch $1.75B Ballpark Build With Funding Puzzle Still Unsolved

Ground is broken in Las Vegas, but funding issues, Sacramento woes persist.