CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – A new state of the art enclosed stadium for the Cleveland Browns is on the way.
Following nearly 18 months of debate over the proposal, Ohio governor Mike DeWine signed the state biennial budget late Monday evening, which includes a $600 million grant for the $2.4 billion project.
The Browns also plan to privately finance and build phase one of a mixed-use development around the new stadium for around $800 million.
“We respect the firm commitment and leadership that Governor DeWine, and the Ohio Senate and House have shown in their collaborative work to find a responsible way to support such a transformative project, one that will create a generational impact for our region and the State,” Browns managing and principal partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “Our fans deserve a world-class facility, and we are committed to building a state-of-the-art enclosed stadium that resonates with Cleveland, highlighting our loyal and passionate fans and the Dawg Pound, while also incorporating innovation, bold design, and an immersive experience. The new enclosed Huntington Bank Field will be completely fan-centric, a first-of-its-kind design in the NFL, and a dynamic venue that draws visitors from across Ohio and beyond, for concerts and significant sporting events throughout the year. This premiere facility will anchor a major lifestyle and entertainment development and be a catalyst for one of Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development projects ever and something our community will be proud of and can enjoy for years to come. We appreciate the support of State leaders and their belief in this transformative project.”
DeWine originally sought to double the sports gaming companies tax to 40% and use the new 20% to create over $130 million in revenue annually for a statewide stadium construction fund. The Ohio House opted for bonds for the project before the senate plan won out.
Through escheatment, $1.7 billion from the state’s $4.8 billion unclaimed property fund will be moved into a newly created Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund in January where $600 million has been earmarked for the Brook Park stadium and an additional $400 million for other qualifying projects in 2026.
A class action lawsuit was filed last week challenging the state's ability to use escheatment for stadium projects. The state said that rightful owners of unclaimed funds will not be affected and will be able to receive any money owed to them and is currently being held within the unclaimed property fund.
The funds from the state won’t be disbursed until after February 1, 2026.
DeWine also approved the adjusted Modell Law that is expected to free the Browns from the lawsuit filed by the city of Cleveland in Cuyahoga County Court and allows the team to move 12 miles from downtown Cleveland and mere football fields outside the city limits across from Cleveland Hopkins international Airport. The amendment redefined “elsewhere” in the law to “outside the state,” meaning the law only applies to teams leaving Ohio.
An excise tax increase permissive on cigarettes and alcohol, known locally as the Sin Tax, for Cuyahoga County also remained in the final budget and was signed off on by DeWine with the stipulation that all funds collected from the tax be distributed evenly among the three teams current and future facilities within the county.
On Friday the Browns closed on the purchase of 176 acres of land bordering Snow and Engle Roads, were the new stadium and development will be built, for just over $76 million.
The Browns aim to officially break ground on the project by the end of March next year with construction being completed in time for the 2029 NFL season.