Browns announce plans to move from 25-year-old lakefront stadium to dome in the suburbs

The Browns are moving out of their lakefront home.

The team officially announced plans Thursday to leave their 25-year-old stadium on the shores of Lake Erie when the lease expires in 2028 and move to a domed facility in suburban Brook Park despite the city’s efforts to keep it in Cleveland.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb met Wednesday with owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who told him they were moving forward with their intention to build the $2.4 billion facility and entertainment complex 12 miles south of downtown.

The Haslams explored several possible sites and considered renovating their current home before deciding the move was their best option.

They made the announcement amid a four-game losing streak and 1-5 record heading into Sunday’s home game against Cincinnati.

“We understand this is a complex process with more questions still to be answered and we will continue to communicate openly as our process evolves,” the Haslams said in a statement. “We recognize our season on the field has not had the start we all hoped for and are working hard to improve each week to make our fans proud.

“At the same time, it is critical that we remain committed to the best long-term, sustainable solution for our stadium and to providing the world-class dome experience our fans deserve. We are confident that the Brook Park project will significantly benefit the Northeast Ohio region for generations to come.”

Funding for the project remains unclear. The Browns are seeking a public/private partnership and have proposed bonds to cover the public portion.

Last month, 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.

“We’ve learned through our exhaustive work that renovating our current stadium will simply not solve many operational issues and would be a short-term approach,” the Haslams said. “With more time to reflect, we have also realized that without a dome, we will…

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Publish date : 2024-10-17 21:46:43

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