Despite the city’s efforts to prevent it from happening, the Browns have made another move aimed at leaving Cleveland.
On Thursday, the Browns announced the purchase of a 176-acre site in Brook Park, Ohio, where they plan to build their new state-of-the-art stadium.
As a part of the announcement, Haslam Sports Group-Chief Operating Officer Dave Jenkins issued the following statement:
“We have executed the clause and taken the necessary steps in our land purchase agreement with the current owners to solidify our future purchase of the 176-acre site in Brook Park for a new Huntington Bank Field enclosed stadium, along with an adjacent mixed-use development. While work remains with our public partners on the project, this is a key step in our efforts to create a responsible long-term stadium solution that delivers a world-class experience for our fans, attracts more large-scale events for our region and positively impacts our local economy.”
Jenkins added: “We will continue to provide updates throughout the process as we work towards bringing this exciting and transformative project to Northeast Ohio.”
After first announcing their plans to leave Cleveland for the Brook Park suburb when their current lease at Huntington Bank Field expires following the 2028 NFL season, the Browns have found themselves entangled in a legal battle with the city they currently call home.
Earlier this week, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb sent the Browns’ owners, the Haslam family, a letter, informing them of the city’s plans to enact the “Modell Law,” which he believes would force the owners to make the team available for purchase to a prospective buyer who would keep the team in Cleveland.
“To date, the Browns have not provided the City or others with the opportunity to purchase the team, as required by law,” Bibb wrote in the letter. “And if that opportunity were provided, the City intends to take a leadership role in assembling an ‘individual or group of individuals who reside in the area’ in purchasing the team.”
Meanwhile, the Browns previously filed a federal lawsuit, seeking to have the Modell Law declared unconstitutional.
