CLEVELAND — As Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam continue to investigate their options for a future stadium, the city has released a comprehensive financing plan to renovate the existing facility on the lakefront.
In what the city calls "a competitive deal to retain the Cleveland Browns at their current stadium site," Mayor Justin Bibb has put forth a $461 million proposal to the Haslams that includes a 30-year lease arrangement.
"We are implementing a bold vision for lakefront development, and the Browns have been an essential fixture on our lakefront for decades. But our first priority is always our residents," Bibb said in a statement. "Having the Browns play here is integral to our city’s identity and community spirit. This initiative must go beyond the Browns and be about what’s best for downtown, the neighborhoods, the suburbs, and the region."
Here are the terms of the city of Cleveland's proposal:
- $367 million ($227 million from increases in admission tax revenues, $120 million from Cuyahoga County sin tax revenues, and $20 million in existing stadium capital reserves) over the 30-year lease term, with a five-year renewal option.
- The city will turn the Willard Garage and the Muni Lot over to the Browns for their exclusive use on game days and event days. Parking revenues are expected to generate $94 million for capital repairs and improvements.
- Under the current lease, the city covers $1.3 million in annual property taxes and insurance, while the Browns pay $250,000 in rent. Under the proposed new lease, rent will be waived for the Browns, but they will assume responsibility for the insurance and tax payments. This adjustment aligns with the lease agreements held by the Guardians and Cavs, making it consistent across sports franchises in Cleveland.
Bibb says the $461 million investment by the city would not impact its services and does not include "pending County and State commitment."
You can read a summary of the city's proposal to the Browns for a 30-year lease below:
3News spoke with city of Cleveland Chief of Staff Bradford Davy about the proposal. He says it's just a first step in the process.
"It was important for us to make sure that they (the Browns) knew we wanted to keep them here, and we hope they'll consider our proposal," Davy said, adding that the conversations with the Haslam Sports Group have been "direct and forthright and we intend to keep that relationship positive."
With the lease on Cleveland Browns Stadium set to expire in 2028, the Haslams announced earlier this year that they are down to two options when it comes to their future stadium site: a $1 billion dollar renovation to the existing downtown stadium, or a domed stadium outside of the city at double the cost.
The Haslams said they have an option to purchase 176 acres of land in Brook Park near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Brook Park City Council has already given its support to a proposed domed stadium, believing the land, once the property of Ford, can also become a "mixed-use entertainment district, potentially attracting visitors from across the region and the nation."
Last weekend, the Haslams gave an update on the progress of the stadium discussions during Browns training camp in West Virginia.
"This is a big project," Jimmy Haslam told reporters. "No matter which direction we go, it's complicated. Any time you have a public-private partnership, it's not easy. We're continuing to work through the process."
Dee Haslam added that the couple had recently had dinner with Bibb and described their relationship with the mayor as "really good."
"We hope sooner rather than later we'll have a solution. But I can assure you, we were on the phone for an hour this morning talking about various things that have to be solved and one solution or the other. We'll continue to do so until we get to what we think is the right answer. The right answer is what is best for our fans. These are long, long-term decisions," Jimmy Haslam stated.
In a letter to the Haslams, Bibb said his administration has "worked earnestly" with the Browns owners to "support their vision for a world-class home." He requested that the Haslams provide a response to the city's proposal by August 12.
"The Browns’ presence at its current site is crucial to many downtown businesses and jobs," Bibb wrote in the letter. "The Browns leaving Cleveland would be detrimental to businesses within Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County, and the magnitude of the project would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars more when our region has so many other critical needs. A strong Cleveland is a strong Northeast Ohio."
You can read the letter from Bibb to the Haslams below:
RESPONSE FROM HASLAM SPORTS GROUP
Hours after the city of Cleveland released its funding plan for a renovated stadium, the Haslam Sports Group's chief operating officer, Dave Jenkins, issued the below statement:
"We appreciate the latest proposal from Mayor Bibb and his administration and will be following up with the City of Cleveland to better understand the details while we are still reviewing it. As we have said consistently throughout this process, we continue to communicate and collaborate with the cities of Cleveland and Brook Park, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio on a long-term stadium solution that creates a world-class experience for our fans and positively impacts Northeast Ohio. We are working diligently to comprehensively examine all options to identify the best path for not only our fans, but also Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Our region deserves to be thought of as evolving, forward-thinking, and innovative, so we need to think boldly and creatively in this process. It’s important to reiterate that the goal is to come up with the best experience we can for our fans while creating a long-term, sustainable stadium solution that drives an impact that benefits Cleveland, the Northeast Ohio region, and the entire State of Ohio. We will continue to provide updates as we have more information to share."
CITY/COUNTY LEADERS REACT TO PLAN
Cleveland City Council
City Council responded to the Bibb proposal with its leadership team "calling upon the Cleveland Browns organization to engage in meaningful discussions with city leaders and stakeholders to explore the best possible future for the team and its fans. Together, we can ensure that the Cleveland Browns remain a proud part of our city's identity and contribute to the growth and prosperity of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio."
"Cleveland offers the best funding options for the future of the stadium. Keeping it in its current location reinforces our dedication to the team and the region," the councilmembers added.
"Keeping the Browns' stadium in the heart of our central business district is not just a matter of sports; it's about economic growth and community pride. A downtown stadium supports local businesses, stimulates job creation, and enhances our city's vibrancy. The Browns' presence contributes to Cleveland's cultural fabric, attracting visitors and residents alike to our downtown," stated Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin.
Downtown Cleveland Inc.
"Downtown Cleveland, Inc. joins Mayor Bibb and the City of Cleveland in urging the Cleveland Browns to remain downtown. Browns Stadium, overlooking Lake Erie, is an iconic symbol of our city's identity and a vital economic engine. The key to the region’s economic success is building greater job, resident, and visitor density in the city’s core.
"The stadium's downtown location is irreplaceable, serving as:
- A hub for civic pride, with fans flooding the city in brown and orange on game days
- A landmark cherished by multiple generations of Greater Clevelanders
- A major driver of tourism, supporting local businesses, hotels, and restaurants
- A key component of Cleveland's unique urban core, featuring three professional stadiums connected by multimodal transportation
"The vibrant game-day experience—packed restaurants, efficient public transit, music-filled streets, and bustling sidewalks—cannot be replicated outside downtown. This concentrated energy gives Cleveland a competitive edge in attracting major events and tourism, benefiting the entire region.
"There is no substitute for the Browns' presence in downtown Cleveland. We stand firmly with the City in its efforts to keep this iconic team in the heart of our hometown—where it belongs."
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne
"We are hopeful that the city of Cleveland and the Browns come to a resolution. We have not been a party to their negotiations. Ultimately, the administration believes that all stakeholders need to come together to discuss a long-term vision for not just the Browns but also the Guardians and Cavaliers."
REACTION FROM BROWNS FANS
3News spoke to a number of Brown and Orange supporters about the proposal before Thursday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton:
Previous Reporting:
- Cleveland Browns owners tout team's stability, success while considering stadium renovation, possible new dome
- Proposed downtown Cleveland land bridge update: Ohio General Assembly passes $4.2B capital budget, allocating $20M for project
- Brook Park City Council passes resolution urging Cleveland Browns to 'strongly consider' former Ford property as site for new stadium