Browns sue city of Cleveland over ‘Modell Law’ designed to prevent their move to suburbs

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns’ back-and-forth battle with Cleveland over a deliberate transfer into a brand new suburban stadium has gone to court docket.

The NFL staff stated Thursday it has filed a lawsuit in federal court docket asking for clarification of the “Modell Legislation,” which town has threatened to make use of to maintain the Browns from leaving after their lease at lakefront Huntington Financial institution Discipline expires in 2028.

The staff has performed its video games in downtown Cleveland for the reason that Nineteen Forties, and in its present 65,000-seat stadium, which is leased to the staff by town, since 1999.

Browns homeowners Dee and Jimmy Haslam introduced final week they’re shifting ahead with plans to construct a domed stadium and leisure complicated in Brook Park, about 15 miles south of Cleveland.

Earlier this week, the Cleveland metropolis council threatened to dam the transfer by invoking the “Modell Legislation,” named after former Browns proprietor Artwork Modell. After dropping his combat with town to get a brand new stadium constructed, Modell moved his franchise after the 1995 season to Baltimore, the place it grew to become the Ravens.

The state regulation handed in 1996 was used to cease the Columbus Crew of Main League Soccer from shifting from Ohio to Texas in 2019. The staff stayed and was purchased by the Haslams, who’re additionally half homeowners of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

“As we speak’s motion for declaratory judgment was filed to take this matter out of the political area and guarantee we are able to transfer this transformative venture ahead to make a brand new domed Huntington Financial institution Discipline in Brook Park a actuality,” Dave Jenkins, CEO of Haslam Sports activities Group, stated in a press release.

“We’ve little interest in any contentious authorized battle however are decided to create a venture that may add to higher Cleveland by constructing a domed stadium and adjoining mixed-use improvement. … This venture will convey premier occasions and financial exercise that may generate important income for town, county and state.”

The Browns explored different choices, together with a makeover of their present stadium, however stated the reworking was too expensive. The town had provided to pay $461 million towards a renovation it hoped would result in improvement of the lakefront space adjoining to the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame.

Clevland Mayor Justin Bibb known as the Haslams’ choice to maneuver the staff “irritating and profoundly disheartening.”

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