Haslam Sports Group ("HSG") today reiterated its actions and investments to ensure a thriving long-term future for the Cleveland Browns, its fans, Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
The heart of this commitment would be a new, enclosed NFL stadium and mixed-use development to be built in Brook Park, Ohio without impacting any existing taxpayer revenue streams and relieving Cleveland of any stadium-related taxpayer expenses. The centerpiece of the project will be a state-of-the-art enclosed stadium for the Browns – consistent with other world-class NFL stadiums – that can host major year-round events. The new stadium, which would sit less than a mile from Cleveland city limits, would also anchor a mixed-use development to catalyze meaningful economic impact for Cleveland and the surrounding region. Its location in the heart of the Greater Cleveland metropolitan area is particularly important with 85% of home game attendees living outside city limits.
Despite the new stadium's significant benefits, the City of Cleveland has been misguiding Clevelanders by inaccurately conflating the Brook Park project with Art Modell breaking a lease and moving a team to an entirely different state. The City has done so by invoking the so-called Modell Law – an Ohio law passed in the 1990s in response to the relocation of the Browns out of Ohio – to try and halt the project. Earlier today, HSG submitted an amended complaint in its federal suit, challenging the city's baseless assertions.
Ted Tywang, HSG's Chief Administrative Officer & General Counsel, stated, "The city has never explained how the Modell Law could sensibly apply to the Browns, who will continue to play games in its stadium until the expiration of its lease, and whose owners have committed to keeping the team in the local area long after the lease expires. In fact, the Haslams' proposed unprecedented private investment in a world-class stadium and surrounding development, and their continued unwavering commitment to Northeast Ohio, are the complete opposite of the Modell situation. It's also important to recognize that at least 10 NFL teams play their home games in metropolitan areas outside of the city they represent, so our proposal is entirely consistent with other hometown teams across the country. Our actions in court are intended to ensure that the city's irresponsible and baseless attempt to apply the Modell Law to the Browns does not slow our momentum to build a world-class stadium right here in Northeast Ohio for the Browns, our fans and the entire region."
