The Browns went public in mid-February with their $2.4 billion Brook Park stadium plan, saying they would provide $1.2 billion and cover any cost overruns, and asking the state for $600 million and the county for $600 million - mostly tied to projected increased tax revenue generated by the complex.
On Tuesday, the Browns doubled down with their plans to move from downtown Cleveland, saying building a covered stadium in Brook Park was the best option after its downtown stadium lease expires in 2028.
The team described the move as a good thing for Cleveland, saying a new stadium in the suburb would “relieve” Cleveland of any expenses to update Huntington Bank Field.
Amid the ongoing battle between the city of Cleveland and the Browns over the team's proposed domed stadium project in Brook Park, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne says he's not sold on the plan either.
During a press conference at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, with the Browns' current home stadium directly behind him, Ronayne referred to the Haslam Sports Group's (HSG) $3.4 billion domed stadium and mixed-use development as a "risky bet with public dollars. A risk we shouldn't take."
"The responsibility to pay for that bond, that $600 million, is a responsibility that would be laid upon the public, not HSG. The debt must be repaid by the taxpayers, not HSG," Ronayne stated. "Many members of the public and some elected officials are mischaracterizing the funding proposal as a loan. That's not the case. This is a bond issuance paid back by the county and the state."
There are certain teams that should never, ever play in a dome. Part of the culture of being a downtrodden Browns fan is sitting miserably in the freezing cold, lake effect snow falling all around you, as you watch yet another failed QB lead the Browns to a 18-3 loss to close out another losing season. But as a true fan, they'll be out there again next year.
Playing in a fancy new dome just seems wrong. Not to mention the billions of public dollars thing. I'm going to request to waive that portion of my state taxes, as a non-Browns fan.
There are certain teams that should never, ever play in a dome. Part of the culture of being a downtrodden Browns fan is sitting miserably in the freezing cold, lake effect snow falling all around you, as you watch yet another failed QB lead the Browns to a 18-3 loss to close out another losing season. But as a true fan, they'll be out there again next year.
Playing in a fancy new dome just seems wrong. Not to mention the billions of public dollars thing. I'm going to request to waive that portion of my state taxes, as a non-Browns fan.
Yeah but they all want domes now because the idea of playing in frigid temps are blah blah blah. I like the old school winter ball. And I am not even much of a football fan but I like seeing sports in open air; that includes baseball.
Sounds like DeWine isn't going to support it at all so I am okay with that. I just paid my taxes last week and I am tired of it.
There are certain teams that should never, ever play in a dome. Part of the culture of being a downtrodden Browns fan is sitting miserably in the freezing cold, lake effect snow falling all around you, as you watch yet another failed QB lead the Browns to a 18-3 loss to close out another losing season. But as a true fan, they'll be out there again next year.
Playing in a fancy new dome just seems wrong. Not to mention the billions of public dollars thing. I'm going to request to waive that portion of my state taxes, as a non-Browns fan.
Yeah but they all want domes now because the idea of playing in frigid temps are blah blah blah. I like the old school winter ball. And I am not even much of a football fan but I like seeing sports in open air; that includes baseball.
Sounds like DeWine isn't going to support it at all so I am okay with that. I just paid my taxes last week and I am tired of it.
They mostly want domes so that they'll get consideration to host a Super Bowl (also so they can host concerts and other events with no concern for the weather). Denver is considering this too.
Last edited by Socnorb11 on July 15 25, 10:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
There are certain teams that should never, ever play in a dome. Part of the culture of being a downtrodden Browns fan is sitting miserably in the freezing cold, lake effect snow falling all around you, as you watch yet another failed QB lead the Browns to a 18-3 loss to close out another losing season. But as a true fan, they'll be out there again next year.
Playing in a fancy new dome just seems wrong. Not to mention the billions of public dollars thing. I'm going to request to waive that portion of my state taxes, as a non-Browns fan.
Yeah but they all want domes now because the idea of playing in frigid temps are blah blah blah. I like the old school winter ball. And I am not even much of a football fan but I like seeing sports in open air; that includes baseball.
Sounds like DeWine isn't going to support it at all so I am okay with that. I just paid my taxes last week and I am tired of it.
They mostly want domes do that they'll get consideration to host a Super Bowl (also so they can host concerts and other events with no concern for the weather). Denver is considering this too.
Lambeau Field will never host a Super Bowl, but it’s had numerous Championship games. I don’t hear the board of directors clamoring for a new domed stadium in the suburbs. The fans know how football is supposed to be played. I went to numerous Seahawks games in the Kingdome and everyone thought it was the worst stadium in the league so they finally blew it up. Its replacement, now called Lumen Field, doesn’t have a retractable roof, although 70% of the field is covered by the roof. The field was built when Paul Allen owned the team, and even though he could have paid for it several times over, he chose to finance it in much the same way as the Browns are trying to do theirs.
