Funding the future «Cleveland Browns» stadium: what will team and district leaders consider during negotiations?
Since there are just over four years remaining on the current lease, local leaders are now ready to secure funding for a new or renovated stadium.
Dreams of the whole city are often linked to the success of sports teams, but success in the top league is not cheap.
“For the sports team, it’s not just an economic decision; it’s also a reputation factor that the city gains,” — explained former Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “There’s love for the teams that are in the city, so you have to consider that as well.”
"Cleveland is the smallest metro area with three top-tier teams – basketball, baseball, and football. Unfortunately, having three top-tier teams is an expensive endeavor for the city or county."
Local leaders are currently negotiating with owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam regarding the future of the team and its home. Budish says these negotiations will look different than recent deals made with the Guardians and Cavaliers.
“The county, city, and state managed to pay for the reconstruction of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and Progressive Field using existing funds,” he explained.
Budish was at the negotiations table for these deals, which helped extend both lease agreements for the next decade. However, he says, Browns face different challenges — and different sources of funding.
"There’s no money allocated for a new or renovated stadium for the Browns,” he said, “so they will have to find a funding source.”
This is because alcohol and tobacco taxes generate only about $14 million annually — evenly distributed among all three teams to help finance the reconstruction. It is not yet clear how much responsibility will fall on the average taxpayer.
But that’s not the only issue.
Location is also a key factor in whether to keep the renovated stadium at its current site or build a new one.
“The city is considering various development plans for the lakefront, including the idea of a land-based bridge, moving the highway, and other options to make infrastructure development around the stadium more feasible,” Budish said. “In the future, this will generate additional revenue for the city, district, and team.” However, in his State of the City speech last spring, Mayor Justin Bibb clearly expressed his stance, announcing that he would no longer support using general fund money to support private football franchise. Bibb also spoke about the need for a creative approach to financing.
“I think it’s important to think about and remember how this all fits into the broader plan to create one of the best waterfront cities in the world,” Bibb said at the time.
Budish, who is now the Public Executor for Mendela at Cleveland University, emphasizes that funding should also play a larger role.
“I don’t want to take the state out of the game,” he said. “Ohio proudly has sports teams in its cities and state, especially Browns and Bengals. The state also has its interests and financial stake in this matter.”
But pressure is mounting, as the Bengals’ lease at Paycor Stadium will end even sooner — in 2026. They are also considering renovation plans.
“If the state has to double the amount of money it is supposed to pay, it creates a more serious problem,” Budish said. “So, we are currently experiencing difficult financial times.”
Nevertheless, despite the uncertainty, Budish believes the overall picture remains positive for Cleveland sports fans.
“Cleveland is the ‘Browns’ city,” he said. “Fans, residents—they love — let me emphasize, love — Cleveland Browns. Even in years when they were terrible, Browns fans went out and watched, they supported the team, and that’s important. It’s very meaningful, so I am very optimistic that we will manage to keep all three teams.”
City Hall Comments
The city leadership of Cleveland and Haslam Sports Group continue to meet monthly to discuss the joint vision for the lakefront.
“We are working with all stakeholders to create a comprehensive and integrated plan for restoring our shoreline, so that state and federal partners understand the importance of this historic North Coast reconstruction project.”
According to Budish, similar remarks point to reconstruction rather than a new stadium.
