The city of Cleveland is suing the Browns over the proposed stadium relocation

Legal battle between Dee and Jimmy Haslam Cleveland Browns and the city they represent has reached a new chapter. This time, the city is suing the team over their proposed relocation new domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio. In a complaint filed Tuesday in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, the city argued the Browns’ move would violate the Modell Act — a state law that imposes conditions on how teams can leave publicly funded facilities.

Cleveland citing the Model Law against the Browns organization

In a statement on the city’s website, officials expressed that they refer to a “model bill” to “ensure the Cleveland Browns continue to play downtown.”

The law was enacted after former Browns owner Art Modell’s decision to move the team to Baltimore in 1996. It mandates that any team that receives taxpayer funds and plays in a tax-supported facility must either obtain city approval or give the city and other entities the option to purchase the team before leaving the facility.

The lawsuit alleges that Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are familiar with the Model Act, citing their acquisition of the MLS franchise, the Columbus Crew, as evidence. The Haslams bought Crew after the previous owner faced a legal challenge, which was trying to block a proposed move to Austin.

The lawsuit further claims that if the Browns relocate, the city will lose at least $30 million in annual economic output and approximately $11 million in annual tax revenue.

The Browns declined to comment on the lawsuit as of Tuesday. Back in August, the team unveiled plans to move to Brook Parkabout 13 miles southwest of their current location, calling it their “most unlikely option.” The proposed move was part of a $2.4 billion project, which was eventually revealed to include the construction of a domed stadium.

The Browns are moving away from Huntington Bank Field

At the time, the Browns said they had decided with the city of Cleveland that the option of building a new stadium at Burke Lakefront Airport was not feasible, citing “significant design, construction, geotechnical and environmental challenges” with the site upon completion of “further due diligence.” The team also determined they could not put a dome in their current stadium, Huntington Bank Field, “due to economic and FAA restrictions.”

Huntington Bank Field’s location, near Lake Erie and Ohio Route 2, creates logistical challenges, including traffic congestion and limited parking options. By contrast, the move to Brook Park offers the Haslams the ability to control more of the parking lot. However, improving traffic flow in the new area would likely require the addition of freeway ramps and additional lanes.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced in October that the Browns were advancing plans to move to Brook Park. That same month, the team filed a federal lawsuit against the city, which remains pending. Tuesday’s complaint alleges the Browns “improperly asked a federal court to strike down Ohio’s model law — or at the very least, allow the team to circumvent it.”

The Browns’ lease with Cleveland is set to expire after the 2028 season. The team has called Huntington Bank Field home since rejoining the NFL in 1999.