COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lawmakers in Ohio are making another change to the state's proposed budget bill to support the Cleveland Browns' move from the city to the suburbs in 2029, following the expiration of the team's current lease at the Downtown stadium.
Watch more on the latest budget changes involving the Browns from News 5's Michelle Jarboe:
A last-minute amendment to the compromise budget bill, released late Tuesday, would change a state law designed to make it harder for pro sports teams to leave publicly subsidized facilities, clearing a significant obstacle from the Browns' road to Brook Park.
The new language says the so-called Modell law, designed to prevent major sports teams from pulling up stakes, would only come into play if a team chose to leave the state.
According to Ohio Revised Code, the Modell Law, which was enacted in 1996 after the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens, currently states:
No owner of a professional sports team that uses a tax-supported facility for most of its home games and receives financial assistance from the state or a political subdivision thereof shall cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games elsewhere unless the owner either:
(A) Enters into an agreement with the political subdivision permitting the team to play most of its home games elsewhere;
(B) Gives the political subdivision in which the facility is located not less than six months' advance notice of the owner's intention to cease playing most of its home games at the facility and, during the six months after such notice, gives the political subdivision or any individual or group of individuals who reside in the area the opportunity to purchase the team.
The new amended language states:
The proposed changes to the law are likely to end a court battle that's just getting started and take leverage away from the City of Cleveland, which is fighting to keep the Browns on the lakefront or negotiate a better exit deal if the team leaves.
Just last week, attorneys for the Browns and the city met during their first court hearing over the Modell law fight.
Watch:
READ MORE: Lawyers for the Browns, Cleveland face off during first court hearing in Modell law fight
The amendment is part of the larger state budget that lawmakers could vote on as soon as Wednesday afternoon. If passed, the spending bill would be sent to Gov. Mike DeWine for signature or possible veto of certain items. The budget needs to be signed by June 30 to take effect on July 1.
Cleveland spokesman Tyler Sinclair issued the following statement on behalf of the city about the amendment:
“We are very troubled and angered by this late-night change, added without public scrutiny, regarding the Modell Law. We strongly oppose this legislative maneuver because Clevelanders have invested hundreds of millions in the lakefront stadium and surrounding infrastructure. This proposed change fails to protect communities like us when a team decides to leave. Moving the Browns — whether 12 miles or across the country — is a betrayal of the city and residents who have stood by the franchise for generations.”
On Wednesday evening, after our report aired, a Browns spokesperson sent News 5 this statement on the Modell Law amendment:
“The General Assembly’s amendment of the Modell Law confirms that the law is intended only to prevent teams from breaking a lease or leaving the state. The Browns are doing neither of those things. The team is staying right here in Cuyahoga County, less than a mile from the city line, and HSG will honor every commitment of the Browns’ current lease. HSG will always maintain its commitment to Northeast Ohio, as the private investment of more than $2 billion in the new enclosed Huntington Bank Field stadium and adjacent mixed-use development in Brook Park shows.”
Chris Ronayne, the Cuyahoga County Executive, held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon in reaction to the overall state budget as well as the Modell amendment that was included.
Ronayne said the budget will have a negative impact on the residents of Cuyahoga County and the state and that using unclaimed funds to help the Browns move to Brook Park wasn't a wise move, as it wasn't in the best interests of his constituents or Ohioans in general.
"Instead of listening to their citizens, the legislature listened to Jimmy and Dee Haslam, caving to their demands at every turn," said Ronayne. "We ask the legislature to protect public schools, libraries, SNAP benefits, health insurance for the working poor and medicaid, that was all lost on legislative leaders."
As far as the Modell law, Ronayne said it was a "very curious thing during an active court case" for the state legislature to add an amendment to an existing law during an ongoing trial about said law. He lambasted lawmakers for "moving the goal line."
Watch Ronayne's full remarks:
The Browns declined to comment in reaction to Ronayne's remarks.
