Here’s where the Browns’ owners may move the team
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are considering moving the team out of downtown Cleveland, to a new domed stadium that could be built in Brook Park, according to reports.
The Haslams on Monday confirmed to reporters that their deal on a 176-acre parcel near the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is nearing completion, reported Sports Illustrated.
Ohio town among 20 best places to live in the US, study finds
They’re now considering whether to renovate the 25-year-old Cleveland Browns Stadium or build new — likely in Brook Park. But “it doesn’t mean that’s our only alternative,” Jimmy Haslam told ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi in an interview Monday in Orlando.
“We’re completely open-minded. We’ve got to let both options play out and see which makes the most sense,” Haslam is heard saying in ESPN Cleveland audio provided to FOX 8 News.
Grossi pointed out the 176 acres in Brook Park is much more than owners would need for a stadium. Haslam said there are “potentially” additional plans there — but mainly, owners want more parking and better egress routes. The new stadium could offer up to 15,000 spaces, much more than at the current stadium.
“I mean, [Cleveland Browns Stadium is] hard to get into, it’s hard to get out of. We have no parking,” said Dee Haslam. “I think that was something really important for us is how we solve those issues.”
Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt, in a Tuesday statement to the FOX 8 I-Team, said though he is aware land in Brook Park is on the table, “nothing is imminent about this project as of yet.” He added he would not “speculate the possible outcomes.”
Right now, Cleveland Browns Stadium is only used about a dozen times per year, Jimmy said, while a domed stadium could host events throughout the year. A domed stadium built downtown is not feasible, Jimmy has said.
“Either way, it’s very positive for the community,” said Dee. “But it’s not bad. There’s nothing negative about not being downtown. … We believe Cleveland is a great place and deserves a domed stadium.”
When asked whether owners would seek public funding for new construction, Jimmy said: “We’re in negotiation with various government entities and we’ll see how things work out.”
Upgrades to the existing stadium could coincide with the city’s planned development along the lakefront.
A Tuesday statement from Mayor Justin Bibb reads:
My administration is committed to creating a best-in-class lakefront for Cleveland and keeping the Browns downtown is a priority. Over the last two years, my administration has been active and engaged with the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) to understand the needs of the team and collectively work toward an agreement.
We meet regularly with their team to refine shared terms and come to a joint vision and acceptable deal for both parties that improves the experience for residents, sports fans and visitors. HSG has been a great partner and I look forward to continued collaboration and conversation to find the best solution.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
Verizon’s $100M settlement claim deadline approaching, but checks may be delayed
A Haslam Sports Group spokesperson sent a statement on the planning to the FOX 8 I-Team in February:
We’ve been clear on how complex future stadium planning can be. One certainty is our commitment to greatly improving our fan experience while also creating a transformative and lasting impact to benefit all of Northeast Ohio. We understand the magnitude of opportunity with a stadium project intent on driving more large-scale events to our region and are methodically looking at every possibility. We appreciate the collaborative process with the City of Cleveland and the leadership of Mayor Bibb in analyzing the landbridge and renovating the current stadium. At the same time, as part of our comprehensive planning efforts, we are also studying other potential stadium options in Northeast Ohio at various additional sites. There is still plenty of work to do and diligence to process before a long term stadium solution is determined and will share further updates at the appropriate time.
The Haslams’ lease on the stadium expires in 2028, but that could be extended another year or two, owners said. The stadium plan could become clearer by then, they said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
