The City of Cleveland has proposed a $461 million deal to keep the Cleveland Browns at their current site.
According to the city, the investment is meant to upgrade the stadium without impacting city services.
"The idea here is that users, those individuals that are going to see the games are the same individuals who also help pay for the upgrades," said Bradford Davy, Mayor Justin Bibb's Chief of Staff.
In a letter, Bibb expressed the importance of maintaining the culture of Cleveland and having the community's best interest.
“Losing the Browns would harm Cleveland and all Clevelanders... lower spending Downtown would negatively affect tax revenues that provide essential services for a city in need. It would close businesses, cost jobs, empty out storefronts, and make our downtown feel less alive.” Bibb said. "We also can’t lose sight of how a new venue would cost taxpayers—including Clevelanders—hundreds of millions more while undermining the city and region's other critical needs. A strong urban core drives success for the entire region.”
The city says the Browns would no longer have to pay rent to Cleveland if they accept the proposal.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents would benefit from the proposal by saving hundreds of millions in new construction costs if the facility is enhanced, city officials say. They call it a strategic investment that sets the stage for Cleveland Browns Stadium to continue to serve as an economic engine for Greater Cleveland.
Team's response
The Cleveland Browns released a statement on X Thursday afternoon saying they were examining "all options to identify the best path for not only our fans, but also Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio."
You can read the full statement below:
Council reacts
Cleveland City Council said it has received Bibb's proposal, and it is under review.
Council President Blaine Griffin said the following: "Keeping the Browns' stadium in the heart of our central business district is not just a matter of sports; it's about economic growth and community pride. A downtown stadium supports local businesses, stimulates job creation, and enhances our city's vibrancy. The Browns' presence contributes to Cleveland's cultural fabric, attracting visitors and residents alike to our downtown."
Cleveland City Councilman Kerry McCormack, who represents downtown, said he's optimistic the city's package will keep the team on the lakefront.
"I think it's critically important not only to downtown businesses," said McCormack, "but a lot of folks that work at the stadium, just like our other arenas, come from the area around it."
McCormack also issued the following statement: "As the representative for all three professional sports teams in downtown Cleveland, I have worked diligently on agreements with our Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association teams to ensure that they maintain their presence in the center city, benefit our entire community, and allow our teams to thrive. The City of Cleveland has been a good partner to the Browns. It is my strong hope and desire that the team reciprocates the same level of partnership and commitment that has been demonstrated by the City of Cleveland and our citizens. The Browns must remain a City of Cleveland team."
Majority Whip Jasmin Santana emphasized the importance of a city/team connection: "The Cleveland Browns and the City of Cleveland have a long and shared history. Keeping the stadium in its current location allows us to build upon that history. But remaining on the lakefront is about more than history. It also impacts and benefits many small businesses downtown. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we must and will support their success."
Downtown business response
Downtown Cleveland Inc. solidified support for Bibb and the City of Cleveland's efforts to keep the Browns stadium in the city.
Downtown Cleveland, Inc. joins Mayor Justin M. Bibb and the City of Cleveland in urging the Cleveland Browns to remain downtown. Browns Stadium, overlooking Lake Erie, is an iconic symbol of our city's identity and a vital economic engine. The key to the region’s economic success is building greater job, resident, and visitor density in the city’s core. The stadium's downtown location is irreplaceable, serving as: • A hub for civic pride, with fans flooding the city in brown and orange on game days • A landmark cherished by multiple generations of Greater Clevelanders • A major driver of tourism, supporting local businesses, hotels, and restaurants • A key component of Cleveland's unique urban core, featuring three professional stadiums connected by multimodal transportation The vibrant game-day experience—packed restaurants, efficient public transit, music-filled streets, and bustling sidewalks—cannot be replicated outside downtown. This concentrated energy gives Cleveland a competitive edge in attracting major events and tourism, benefiting the entire region. There is no substitute for the Browns' presence in downtown Cleveland. We stand firmly with the City in its efforts to keep this iconic team in the heart of our hometown—where it belongs.
Renovation or dome?
Like several other franchises, the Browns are dealing with a multi-layered stadium issue.
The team is considering leaving its downtown home since 1946 and building a dome in Brook Park, Ohio, a suburb 13 miles south of Cleveland.
The other option is a $1 billion renovation to their current stadium, which opened in 1999.
The team's lease on the lakefront property owned by the city expires after the 2028 season, so time is a factor.
"I can assure you the intensity on all sides of coming up with a solution is extremely high,” Jimmy Haslam said earlier this week.
A dome is expected to cost $2.4 billion, and the Browns would like to fund it with state and county tax money.
“This is a big project," Haslam said. "No matter which direction we go, it’s complicated. Any time you have a public-private partnership, it’s not easy. We’re continuing to work through the process."
