‘The multi-billionaire Haslams’ decision to leave Cleveland for Brook Park is disappointing and reflects a troubling mindset.’
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are leaving downtown and moving to a new domed stadium in Brook Park. That was the announcement that was made by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb during a press conference on Thursday.
The move comes as the Browns lease with Huntington Bank Field is set to expire in 2028. The Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Browns, announced earlier this year that they had narrowed their options down to playing in a renovated stadium on the lakefront or a new domed stadium in the suburbs.
Here is some of the reaction from area political leaders following the announcement from Bibb about the Browns eventual move to Brook Park:
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne:
Executive Ronayne has made his position clear: the Browns stadium should remain Downtown. Today he is focused on the business of Cuyahoga County and cheering for a Guardians win tonight.
Cleveland City Councilman Brian Kazy:
The multi-billionaire Haslams’ decision to leave Cleveland for Brook Park is disappointing and reflects a troubling mindset. With the Haslams, it’s all about feeding at the public trough. The ownership is not from Cleveland and clearly does not understand the tradition of the team they own or the needs of one of the poorest cities in America. If they did, they would not be asking this community to commit hundreds of millions, if not billions, to build a stadium when we have a functioning stadium and so many other needs. It’s disappointing that the Haslams are looking to pit City against City to fleece taxpayers out of money to build a shiny new fortress. This move demonstrates a lack of genuine commitment to Cleveland and the region. It has always been clear, and this decision further proves that the Haslams’ only focus is their financial gain. Their lack of investment in the city is frankly embarrassing. Cleveland deserves an ownership team that prioritizes the well-being of its community rather than just their profits. The city made a generous offer using non-taxpayer dollars, and I would encourage the County and State not to contribute a single taxpayer dollar to building a new stadium in Brook Park.