Brady PieperOhio lawmakers are considering partially funding the Cleveland Browns’ proposal for a new domed stadium in Brook Park.
As part of Ohio’s 2025 legislative session, the Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee is introducing new budget language seeking $600 million in public funding to construct a new facility and foreseeable home for the Browns outside of downtown Cleveland.
The public and private funding effort highlights team owner Haslam Sports Group’s $3.4 billion plan to develop the Brook Park Transformational Sports Mixed-Use Development District, which would include the new $2.4 billion stadium and a variety of hotels, residential, restaurant and experiential retail space.
The Browns’ existing stadium, established as the team’s home in 1999, operates on a lease within Cleveland through 2028. If the amendment and subsequent funding are approved, the new stadium proposal would start construction as early as 2026, with games under the domed facility by 2028.
While Ohio lawmakers are currently convened for the biannual session, the draft bond amendment will require Ohio House and Senate approval before enactment into the state budget, which is anticipated in June.
The passage of the amendment would authorize the issuance of up to $600 million in bond obligations to credit the Cultural and Sports Facilities Building Fund (Fund 7030), which would pay costs of the sports facility’s development.
Haslam Sports Group states the debt service would be repaid through the taxes and revenues generated by the stadium’s operation and the surrounding development district. Initially, the Haslams are offering $38 million in upfront cash to help cover some of the bond costs and deposit 5% of the total bond package into an escrow account for future use.
Advancing the Browns’ plan for the new stadium, the draft budget would cover up to 25% of the facility’s development and leave the remaining $1.8 billion in the hands of team ownership, Cuyahoga County and local partners.
Haslam Sports Group projects that the stadium and development will generate nearly $3 billion in economic activity over 30 years, with annual growth in tax revenues from $31.9 million in 2026 to $151.3 million by 2058. While these numbers have yet to be independently verified, the group expects the revenue will offset the cost of the total bond package.
However, even if the amendment is approved, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission will evaluate the proposal’s long-term revenue projections and debt service before the distribution of funds, working in conjunction with the Department of Taxation and Office of Budget and Management.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he believes that state funding shouldn’t be used for the development of new stadiums, as funding could be taken out of educational systems, according to his budget proposal last month. The governor is presenting his own legislation that seeks to fund the project by doubling the state tax on sports gambling operators and owners.
Gov. DeWine’s proposal would use new tax funds to create a sports facilities fund that supports the development, upgrade and modernization of the Browns’ and Cincinnati Bengals’ stadiums. Notably, the proposed amendment does not include the creation of this sports facilities fund in bond language.
Photo of stadium rendering courtesy Cleveland Browns
