Browns unveil plans for $2.4 billion dome as team considers move from downtown Cleveland (2024)

National Football League

Published Aug. 7, 2024 5:02 p.m. ET

The Cleveland Browns appear poised to move out of their lakefront home.

While they're considering a $1.1 billion plan from the city of Cleveland to renovate their 25-year-old downtown stadium, the NFL team made it clear on Wednesday that its preference is to build a $2.4 billion dome in Brook Park, Ohio.

In a letter to season-ticket holders that included renderings, the Browns outlined plans for the a state-of-the-art facility, which they believe will allow Cleveland to attract and host other major events such as the Super Bowl and Final Four.

The team's lease at its current stadium expires after the 2028 season.

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"Similar to other markets in the Midwest, this proposed domed stadium would catalyze our region in a major way," David Jenkins, chief operating officer of Haslam Sports Group, wrote in the letter. "The stadium’s year-round activity would anchor a large-scale lifestyle and entertainment district, including experiential retail, residential space, hotels and other unique products, drawing visitors throughout the year and driving substantial fiscal impact for our region.

"While significant work remains, the more we have explored the Brook Park option, the more attractive it has become."

Last week, the city proposed funding $461 million — splitting the cost with the Browns — to upgrade the current stadium and re-develop its surrounding property along Lake Erie.

The Browns have only been in their stadium since 1999, when they returned as an expansion team after owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore four years earlier following a squabble with city officials.

Mayor Justin Bibb has asked the Browns for a response by Aug. 12. He believes keeping the team downtown is vital to the city's identity and growth.

As part of a counter argument, Jenkins wrote the current stadium needs "substantial improvements" for sustainability. The Browns often cite traffic and parking issues among the main reasons to consider a new stadium location.

Jenkins said the team has considered other locations for a proposed dome, but Brook Park, about 12 miles south of Cleveland, makes the most sense. The team has an agreement to buy 176 acres near Cleveland Hopkins Airport for the project.

"The Brook Park site is the most compelling option for a dome for several reasons: its central location for our regional fan base, its proximity to downtown, the RTA and the airport, and its strong existing infrastructure," Jenkins wrote. "The large footprint is also ripe for major economic development and supports ample parking and optimized ingress/egress for our visitors."

Funding remains an obstacle. The Browns are seeking a public/private partnership for the $2.4 billion project. They're proposing bonds to cover the public portion.

The Browns don't want to abandon Cleveland, and believe a dome would benefit the entire region.

"The City of Cleveland and the success of its downtown remain incredibly important to us," Jenkins said. "We acknowledge that a move to Brook Park may have a near-term impact on downtown, but we believe that the year-round activity of a domed stadium can still positively impact the downtown economy, particularly when coupled with the possibilities of a reimagined lakefront absent the stadium.

"Developing the lakefront without the stadium could be the best way to maximize the long-term success of our underutilized North Coast waterfront asset."

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Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Browns unveil plans for $2.4 billion dome as team considers move from downtown Cleveland (10)

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Browns unveil plans for $2.4 billion dome as team considers move from downtown Cleveland (2024)

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Browns unveil plans for $2.4 billion dome as team considers move from downtown Cleveland? ›

CLEVELAND -- The Browns appear poised to move out of their lakefront home. While they're considering a $1.1 billion plan from the city of Cleveland to renovate their 25-year-old downtown stadium, the NFL team made it clear on Wednesday that its preference is to build a $2.4 billion dome in Brook Park, Ohio.

Why is Cleveland called the Browns? ›

The Browns were founded in 1946 and, as the result of a fan contest to choose their moniker, were named after their first head coach, Paul Brown, who was already a popular figure in Ohio, having coached the Ohio State University to a national collegiate football championship.

Why did the Browns leave Cleveland? ›

In late 1995, Modell announced the move of the franchise to Baltimore. Browns owner Art Modell claimed financial hardships, but announced the move before Cleveland was able to propose an offer to keep the Browns. In fact, voters approved a renovation of Cleveland Municipal Stadium that November.

Who was the owner of the Cleveland Browns when they moved to Baltimore? ›

The Cleveland Browns relocation controversy—colloquially called "The Move" by fans—followed the announcement by Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell that his National Football League (NFL) team would move from its longtime home of Cleveland to Baltimore for the 1996 NFL season.

When did the Cleveland Browns move from Cleveland? ›

The Browns didn't play a single NFL down from 1996-98, after the original team and staff relocated to Baltimore in 1996. The Browns franchise resumed operations in 1999 with the same logo and colors.

What are Cleveland Browns fans called? ›

Browns Backers Worldwide is one of the largest organized fan clubs in all of professional sports with members and chapters throughout the world.

Why don t the Cleveland Browns have a mascot? ›

Legendary coach Paul Brown even toyed with the idea of adding him to the team's helmets, but never did. After Art Modell bought the team in 1961, he began to phase out the mascot. When he moved the team to Baltimore in 1995, the team's legacy – and Brownie – remained in Cleveland, ready for a rebirth.

How long was Cleveland without the Browns? ›

After three years of inactivity while Cleveland Stadium was demolished and Cleveland Browns Stadium was built on its site, the Browns were reactivated and started play again in 1999 under new owner Al Lerner.

How did Cleveland get to keep the Browns name? ›

Negotiations and legal battles led to an agreement where Modell was allowed to move the team, but Cleveland kept the Browns' name, colors and history.

Who owns the Cleveland Browns now? ›

Our owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, share stadium updates, talk contract extensions of AB and HC Kevin Stefanski and more 📰 » https://brow.nz/7tpd. Move to Brook Park. It's still basically Cleveland. The Jimmy and Dee are the best owners The Browns have had since Paul Brown.

Who was the original Cleveland Browns? ›

The Cleveland Browns were born in 1944 when Cleveland businessman Arthur B. McBride acquired a franchise in the new All-America Football Conference that would begin play in 1946.

Do the Ravens own the Browns? ›

The Ravens originated when Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell decided to relocate his historic franchise, and he reached a deal with the city of Baltimore to move his team in 1996.

What teams have never been to the Super Bowl? ›

There are four NFL teams that have never appeared in a Super Bowl: the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans, though both the Browns (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964) and Lions (1935, 1952, 1953, 1957) had won NFL Championship Games prior to the creation of the Super Bowl in the 1966 season.

Why are Cleveland called the Browns? ›

According to Wikipedia: The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Named after their original coach and co-founder Paul Brown, they compete in the NFL as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC)North division.

How many Super Bowl rings do the Browns have? ›

The Cleveland Browns have won many championships as a franchise but no Super Bowls. Cleveland won a championship in its inaugural NFL season in 1950 and again in 1954, 1955 and 1964. However, it's been tough sledding since then – the Browns have never even appeared in a Super Bowl.

Who is the best Browns QB of all time? ›

Otto Graham is the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback in Cleveland Browns history
Otto Graham Browns Stats
Comp%55.8
Pass Yards23,584
Pass TD174
Interceptions135
4 more rows
Apr 21, 2024

Why did they name him Cleveland Brown? ›

Writers may have named the character Cleveland Brown in reference to the similarly named football team, although his last name was not revealed until after Family Guy returned from cancellation in 2005.

Why is the Browns mascot a dog? ›

Mark chose to design the logo around a bullmastiff dog after the breed won the Browns' pre-contest poll asking fans which breed best represented the Browns. After the shape of the logo was decided, he worked to include several hidden symbols to create a more personalized feel to the franchise.

Why were the St. Louis Browns called the Browns? ›

Under the circumstances, a move to St. Louis was a foregone conclusion. At a league meeting in Chicago, the Killileas requested and received permission to move. Soon after moving, the team changed its name to the Browns, a reference to the original name of the St.

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