The Cleveland Browns are one step closer to moving to the suburbs. They had already bought the plot of land, and on Monday night, they got the public funding.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine signed a new budget into law on Monday that allocates $600 million in unclaimed funds to partially fund the Browns’ new stadium project in the southeastern Cleveland suburb, according to 92.3 The Fan. The budget decision came three days after the Haslam Sports Group officially purchased a 176-acre plot of land for $76 million, according to Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office via Sportico.
The Browns originally revealed the plans to move to Brook Park in August 2024, at the time calling it ‘a modern, dynamic, world-class venue that would greatly enhance the fan experience and enable the State of Ohio and our region to compete for some of the biggest events in the world 365 days a year.’
The Browns estimate the project to build a new, domed stadium will cost $2.4 billion in total. They’ve now received $600 million from the state of Ohio for the stadium, and the team expects to use an additional $400 million from Brook Park’s income taxes for the new Huntington Bank Stadium.
Haslam Sports Group has also committed $2 billion to mixed-use area development surrounding the stadium.
Though they’ve officially received the public funding, the Browns still have a bit to go before they can begin building the stadium. According to the Columbus Dispatch, former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and former state Rep. Jeff Crossman announced they would immediately file a lawsuit if the state budget included funding the Browns’ stadium project with unclaimed funds.
That said, Gov. DeWine already helped the Browns clear another potential road bump by adjusting language in the Modell Law.
The law is nicknamed after infamous former Browns owner Art Modell, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1996. Its actual title is Ohio Revised Code 9.67, which requires any Ohio-based team to give their city six months’ notice to allow ‘political subdivision or any individual or group of individuals who reside in the area the opportunity to purchase the team.’
DeWine passed an amendment that changes language in the Modell Law to only apply to teams attempting to leave the state.
With the Ohio governor backing their project and providing a sizable portion of the state’s budget, the Browns are pushing ahead. Team principal owner Jimmy Haslam says he hopes to break ground in Brook Park by early next year.
‘We respect the firm commitment and leadership that Governor DeWine, and the Ohio Senate and House have shown in their collaborative work to find a responsible way to support such a transformative project, one that will create a generational impact for our region and the State,’ the Haslams said in a statement.
‘Our fans deserve a world-class facility, and we are committed to building a state-of-the-art enclosed stadium that resonates with Cleveland, highlighting our loyal and passionate fans and the Dawg Pound, while also incorporating innovation, bold design, and an immersive experience. The new enclosed Huntington Bank Field will be completely fan-centric, a first-of-its-kind design in the NFL, and a dynamic venue that draws visitors from across Ohio and beyond, for concerts and significant sporting events throughout the year.
‘This premiere facility will anchor a major lifestyle and entertainment development and be a catalyst for one of Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development projects ever and something our community will be proud of and can enjoy for years to come. We appreciate the support of State leaders and their belief in this transformative project.’