So, what’s the latest news on the Cleveland Browns? I have to admit, after they signed Deshaun Watson, I started caring less about the team.
Now, the Browns are in the news for a very different reason. I often say that the NFL is never short of drama because people are so passionate about it.
The Browns are considering moving to Brook Park, just east of the airport, and leaving downtown Cleveland.
Most fans immediately reacted by saying the Browns should stay downtown and continue to develop the area, even if getting in and out of the stadium isn’t ideal. Taverns like Barley's, for example, might not exist if the Browns weren’t within walking distance.
However, that doesn’t mean the downtown area won’t be developed. There’s still the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the lakefront area could be an opportunity similar to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, which was once quite famous.
So, what are the facts about the Browns' potential move? First, the property they’re considering in Brook Park is currently unused and generates no revenue for the state, city, or county; it’s essentially just vacant land.
The Browns want to create the biggest and best dome stadium in the world. Interestingly, they are willing to invest $2.25 billion of their own money into this project.
I mention this because we cover all of Northeast Ohio. While Cleveland isn’t our primary listening area, many of you travel to Cleveland for Browns games, as well as for the Guardians and Cavaliers. One thing everyone agrees on is that it’s a nightmare getting in and out of the current Browns stadium.
If we set aside the financial aspects for a moment, it’s worth noting that 70% of Browns fans don’t live in Cleveland, so ingress and egress are major issues. These issues would largely be alleviated if the team moved to Brook Park, thanks to easy access from Interstate 71 and Interstate 90.
Putting emotions aside, as much as we like to see Cleveland develop as a major sports town, it’s noteworthy that private investors are willing to invest $2.25 billion into this move.
But there’s more: the Browns are also seeking $750 million in revenue bonds from the state. The idea is that the state could sell these bonds, and the profits from the bonds would retire them. Additionally, the Browns believe that these revenue bonds could even generate a profit for the state beyond just covering the bond retirement.
If it sounds like free money, maybe it is. On the other hand, when was the last time we had a wealthy sports team owner willing to build a new stadium with no cost to taxpayers?
I think Governor DeWine would be unwise not to consider this, as it presents a unique opportunity to enhance the property east of the airport and possibly boost revenue from surrounding businesses, such as parking and concessions, providing a significant public relations benefit for the state of Ohio.
A couple of things come to mind: it’s unusual for a state like ours, in a city so far north, not to have a dome stadium, as they have become quite common in places like Detroit and Indianapolis.
On the other hand, it’s hard to believe that the lease for the Cleveland Browns' stadium will expire in 2028, making it just over 25 years old and essentially considered obsolete.
It’s a fast-paced world, and that’s how things work. Many of us remember the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, especially the bathrooms.
I suppose it’s a sign of the times. We often look to Dallas and see Jerry Jones building the preeminent stadium there, but perhaps it’s time for Ohio to catch up.
Again, financially speaking, the Browns would invest $2.25 billion, and the state of Ohio would issue $750 million in revenue bonds, which they would guarantee, with the potential for a profit after the bonds are retired.
A state-of-the-art stadium in Brook Park could be on the horizon, though the only downside is there’s no guarantee the Browns will make the playoffs.
Dan Rivers
570 WKBN