Ohio governor indicators price range that features funds for Browns stadium
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a two-year, $60 billion price range that units apart $600 million in unclaimed funds for a brand new Cleveland Browns stadium.
The Republican governor signed the price range late Monday night time, about 45 minutes earlier than the midnight deadline.
The Haslam Sports activities Group, proprietor of the Browns, had requested that the state assist construct a brand new $2.4 billion domed stadium in suburban Brook Park south of Cleveland. DeWine had proposed doubling taxes on sports activities betting to assist the Browns, in addition to the Cincinnati Bengals and different groups that may search facility upgrades. However the Legislature used a number of the $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds the state is holding on to — in small sums, residents left behind from dormant financial institution accounts, uncashed checks and forgotten utility deposits. At the moment, there is a 10-year time restrict earlier than that cash reverts to the state.
In an announcement issued Tuesday, the Browns referred to as the price range approval a “large milestone for our group” and mentioned DeWine and the Legislature labored collectively “to discover a accountable solution to assist such a transformative undertaking.”
Thrilled to maneuver ahead on a transformative undertaking with generational affect pic.twitter.com/gym7FVv2o2
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 1, 2025
“This can be a win for taxpayers, and it’ll present vital cash to issues that enhance the standard of life in Ohio,” DeWine mentioned of the stadium cash.
Final October, the Browns introduced they knowledgeable town of Cleveland of their intentions to construct a state-of-the-art stadium and leisure advanced in Brook Park — which is in the identical county however 15 miles south of Cleveland — when their stadium lease with town expires on the finish of the 2028 NFL season.
The price range additionally included adjustments to the state’s “Artwork Modell Legislation,” which was handed in 1996 after former Browns proprietor Artwork Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore. The legislation had said that no skilled sports activities staff taking part in in a tax-supported stadium in Ohio might relocate with out an settlement with town through which it performs until that metropolis is given six months’ advance discover with a possibility to purchase the staff. The brand new language within the signed price range applies the legislation provided that a sports activities staff makes an attempt to maneuver out of Ohio.
Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb expressed his disappointment Tuesday with the ultimate state price range.
“We’re deeply disenchanted that the ultimate state price range contains each a $600 million public subsidy for a domed stadium in Brook Park and adjustments to Ohio’s Modell Legislation — provisions we strongly opposed and requested be eliminated,” Bibb mentioned in an announcement. “Relocating the Browns will divert financial exercise from downtown, create a competing leisure district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment.”
Bibb added, “We additionally stay firmly against the adjustments within the Modell Legislation, which was enacted to guard communities which have made substantial public investments of their sports activities groups. Undermining this statute units a troubling precedent and leaves cities like Cleveland with fewer instruments to safeguard long-standing public belongings.”
In January, town of Cleveland had sued the Browns over the proposed transfer, in search of to invoke the “Modell Legislation.”
Lawmakers who characterize Cleveland and surrounding communities, principally Democrats, have blasted the proposal as a present to the staff’s billionaire homeowners. Democrats exterior the Legislature have threatened to sue if DeWine signed the plan, arguing it could be unconstitutionally raiding the unclaimed funds with out due course of.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
