Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a two-year, $60 billion finances that units apart $600 million in unclaimed funds for a brand new Cleveland Browns stadium.
The Republican governor signed the finances late Monday night time, about 45 minutes earlier than the midnight deadline.
The Haslam Sports activities Group, proprietor of the Browns, had requested that the state assist construct a brand new $2.4 billion domed stadium in suburban Brook Park south of Cleveland. DeWine had proposed doubling taxes on sports activities betting to assist the Browns, in addition to the Cincinnati Bengals and different groups which may search facility upgrades. However the Legislature used a number of the $4.8 billion in unclaimed funds the state is holding on to — in small sums, residents left behind from dormant financial institution accounts, uncashed checks and forgotten utility deposits. Presently, there is a 10-year time restrict earlier than that cash reverts to the state.
In a press release issued Tuesday, the Browns known as the finances approval a “super milestone for our group” and mentioned DeWine and the Legislature labored collectively “to discover a accountable solution to assist such a transformative mission.”
Thrilled to maneuver ahead on a transformative mission with generational influence pic.twitter.com/gym7FVv2o2
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 1, 2025
“It is a win for taxpayers, and it’ll present important cash to issues that enhance the standard of life in Ohio,” DeWine mentioned of the stadium cash.
Final October, the Browns introduced they knowledgeable town of Cleveland of their intentions to construct a state-of-the-art stadium and leisure complicated in Brook Park — which is in the identical county however 15 miles south of Cleveland — when their stadium lease with town expires on the finish of the 2028 NFL season.
The finances additionally included modifications to the state’s “Artwork Modell Regulation,” which was handed in 1996 after former Browns proprietor Artwork Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore. The regulation had acknowledged that no skilled sports activities group enjoying in a tax-supported stadium in Ohio may relocate with out an settlement with town through which it performs except that metropolis is given six months’ advance discover with a possibility to purchase the group. The brand new language within the signed finances applies the regulation provided that a sports activities group makes an attempt to maneuver out of Ohio.
Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb expressed his disappointment Tuesday with the ultimate state finances.
“We’re deeply disenchanted that the ultimate state finances consists of each a $600 million public subsidy for a domed stadium in Brook Park and modifications to Ohio’s Modell Regulation — provisions we strongly opposed and requested be eliminated,” Bibb mentioned in a press release. “Relocating the Browns will divert financial exercise from downtown, create a competing leisure district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment.”
Bibb added, “We additionally stay firmly against the modifications within the Modell Regulation, which was enacted to guard communities which have made substantial public investments of their sports activities groups. Undermining this statute units a troubling precedent and leaves cities like Cleveland with fewer instruments to safeguard long-standing public belongings.”
In January, town of Cleveland had sued the Browns over the proposed transfer, searching for to invoke the “Modell Regulation.”
Lawmakers who symbolize Cleveland and surrounding communities, largely Democrats, have blasted the proposal as a present to the group’s billionaire house owners. Democrats outdoors the Legislature have threatened to sue if DeWine signed the plan, arguing it might be unconstitutionally raiding the unclaimed funds with out due course of.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
