The Cleveland Browns' proposal to move to a new stadium in the city's suburbs could be blocked by the city of Cleveland itself, citing a law passed after the last time an NFL team left Ohio.
Earlier this year, the Browns announced plans to build a new $2.4 billion domed stadium in Brook Park, a Cleveland suburb.
But the city is trying to find ways to keep the team within its borders and plans to use the law to keep them there.
The city sent formal notice to the Browns that it intends to enforce a statute known as the “Model Law” to stop development of the new stadium.
The 'Modell Law' is named after former Browns owner Art Modell, who moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1995 and changed the team's name to the Baltimore Ravens.
Under the law, a professional sports team in Ohio that plays in a publicly funded stadium cannot move without giving the city six months' notice and the opportunity to purchase the franchise.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (left) has informed Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (right) of the city's intention to invoke the so-called 'Model Law' to prevent the team from relocating.
The Browns plan to build a $2.4 billion domed stadium in Book Park, a Cleveland suburb.
The Browns will continue to play at Huntington Bank Stadium until their lease expires in 2028
Before the city invoked the law, the Browns filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city government in October in an attempt to invalidate it as unconstitutional.
In the letter to team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb wrote: “The Browns have not provided the city or others the opportunity to purchase the team, as required by law.” Should that opportunity be provided, the city intends to take a leadership role in bringing together an “individual or group of individuals residing in the area” to purchase the equipment.
The letter asks for a response from the Browns by January 9. If none arrive, Bibb says, “the city intends to take appropriate legal action.”
A statement from the Haslam Sports group reads: 'The city's charter and action create uncertainty and do not serve the interests of greater Cleveland. As the city knows, after the 2028 season we will have met our lease obligations on the current stadium.
'We are determined to create a project to resolve our long-term stadium planning by constructing a new enclosed (stadium) and an adjacent mixed-use development, which will result in a substantial increase in premier, large-scale events and in the economic activity of our region. '
Although they plan to move to Brook Park, no financing plan has been released and the Haslams hope that half of the development costs will be covered by public funds. In addition to Bibb, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne opposes the measure.
The Browns have been playing at their current home, known this season as Huntington Bank Field, since 1999, when they returned through expansion.
This season, the Browns have gone 3-13 as injuries compounded already low expectations. They finish the season on Saturday against the Ravens.