Credit: SportsPro
The Cleveland Browns have officially cleared the final hurdle in their long-running standoff with the city of Cleveland, securing approval to move forward with plans for a new domed stadium in Brook Park. The agreement ends months of legal disputes and marks a major step toward one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the franchise’s history — a US$2.4 billion development that will redefine the Browns’ future home and reshape Cleveland’s sports and entertainment landscape.
The deal follows a lawsuit filed by the city earlier this year to block the Browns’ relocation from their current downtown lakefront venue, citing Ohio’s Modell Law, which prevents publicly funded teams from leaving without permission or six months’ notice. However, the settlement now paves the way for the move while ensuring significant financial investment back into the city.
Under the agreement, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) — owners of the Browns — will contribute US$100 milliontoward Cleveland’s lakefront redevelopment, including US$25 million due by December 1 and US$30 million allocated for stadium demolition to prepare the site for new projects. HSG will also pay US$5 million annually from 2029 to 2033, followed by no less than US$2 million per year from 2029 to 2038 to fund community benefit initiatives.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb praised the outcome as a landmark moment for the city’s revitalization.
“This US$100 million investment continues our lakefront momentum and economic resurgence,” said Bibb. “This agreement puts the lakefront on the path to transformational development and the Browns on the path to a world-class facility in Brook Park.”
HSG principals Dee and Jimmy Haslam emphasized the partnership’s shared vision for regional growth:
“Because of Mayor Bibb’s leadership, and this monumental public-private partnership, we are accelerating the transformation of Cleveland’s lakefront while delivering a new world-class stadium and mixed-use development in Brook Park. It’s a win for the city, the region, and the fans.”
The proposed Brook Park venue will be constructed on the site of a former Ford Motor Company plant, set 80 feet below ground and rising 221 feet above, forming the centerpiece of a wider mixed-use entertainment district. The Browns will contribute US$1.2 billion to the project, with US$600 million in state funding and additional financing currently under discussion with local officials.
365247 Insight
This agreement represents a pivotal public-private model for urban regeneration — one where sports franchises act as catalysts for regional transformation. For the Browns, the Brook Park stadium isn’t just an architectural statement; it’s a play for long-term economic and cultural influence in the Midwest. As the NFL increasingly leans into venue-based entertainment ecosystems, the Browns’ approach mirrors a broader trend — where teams evolve from sports entities into anchors of urban revitalization and lifestyle development.
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