Cleveland’s football saga has taken a dramatic twist. Jimmy Haslam faces a 1996 law with sharp teeth. This legal relic, designed to block sports teams from relocating, now threatens to derail Haslam’s Brook Park dreams. But Haslam is not sitting back idle.

On Thursday, the Browns announced a decisive move toward building a domed stadium in Brook Park. They secured a 176-acre site, signaling their intent to move from downtown Cleveland. Browns COO Dave Jenkins called it a “key step” for a “long-term stadium solution” benefiting fans and the region.

“While work remains with our public partners, 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 said. Yet, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has other plans, invoking the Modell Law to stop the Browns in their tracks.

The law is a response to Art Modell’s betrayal in moving the Browns to Baltimore in 1996. The Modell Law demands that teams using taxpayer-funded facilities cannot relocate without offering locals the chance to buy the franchise. Mayor Bibb wasted no time, stating Cleveland’s intent to block the Browns’ relocation, emphasizing the city’s cultural and economic stakes in retaining its beloved team.

While the Browns claim their Brook Park plans promise $1.2 billion in annual spending, Cleveland argues the city would lose $30 million annually if the team leaves. This economic tug-of-war is shaping into a courtroom battle, with the Browns suing to declare the Modell Law unconstitutional. The stakes have never been higher for both sides.

Haslam’s team believes they’re staying loyal to Northeast Ohio by relocating just 15 miles away. But for many fans, even this move feels like a betrayal of the city’s football identity. Cleveland, however, is gearing up for a legal showdown, aiming to preserve its team and legacy.

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I’m old enough to remember when the present stadium was built and the criteria used to build it. The big...more

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Debate

Jimmy Haslam Defying the lawmakers: Modell law vs. Brook Park vision

The Modell Law’s roots run deep in Cleveland’s heartbreak. After Modell’s infamous move, Ohio legislators vowed to shield the city from similar betrayals. This law is now at the heart of Cleveland’s fight against Haslam’s ambitious Brook Park plans. The Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance in May. The ordinance requires the law department to take action if the Browns signaled an intention to leave.

The Haslams, however, have already executed a key clause in their land purchase agreement for the 176-acre site in Brook Park, marking a significant step toward securing the location for the new Huntington Bank Field. “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,” Jenkins said. On the other hand, Mayor Bibb had invoked the law with a strongly worded letter outlining Cleveland’s rights.

The law’s provisions demand that the Browns allow local ownership to step in before relocating. But the Browns argue that the law violates constitutional rights, filing a federal lawsuit to sidestep its restrictions. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has stepped in to defend the Modell Law, adding another layer to this escalating battle. For Cleveland, it’s now become a fight to safeguard the city’s cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Haslam’s vision of a domed stadium and mixed-use district promises a world-class fan experience and broader economic gains. Yet the public remains divided, with questions lingering over the financial feasibility of such a massive project.

The Browns’ lease at their current downtown stadium ends after 2028, giving Cleveland a ticking clock to resolve this standoff. Whether through the courtroom or compromise, the city’s football future hangs in delicate balance. For now, all eyes are on Cleveland and its legal arsenal. Can the Modell Law shield the Browns from relocation, or will Jimmy Haslam’s ambitions redefine the city’s football legacy?