CLEVELAND (WJW) – Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne is responding to changes in a budget bill by Ohio lawmakers that could allow the Cleveland Browns to move to Brook Park.
Watch his press conference and our live blog at 3:30 p.m.
The FOX 8 I-TEAM learned early Wednesday that state lawmakers were looking to change the Modell Law, and that could make it easier for the Browns to move a dome in Brook Park.
The Modell Law is a state law that restricts sports teams from moving.
The I-Team learned state lawmakers will be voting on a measure as soon as today to allow teams to move if they stay within the same county.
House and Senate leaders met into the wee hours of the morning on a budget bill, and a brief mention of one amendment stood out.
At one point, State Senator Jerry Cirino listed “several amendments” including allow sports teams to relocate in certain situations.”
Nothing more was said on the matter at the hearing, which went on until 1:20 a.m.
In response, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne called an afternoon press conference “regarding the State budget to be voted on later today.”
The overnight meeting went on at length largely listing amendments and tweaks to a new proposed State budget bill affecting everything from changes to taxes to funding for schools to funding which would help the Browns build a dome.
A State House leader, yesterday, confirmed the proposal includes $600 million dollars for the Browns coming from the Unclaimed Funds account.
Money left behind in old bank accounts and insurance policies and more.
The Haslam Sports Group would pay back the money.
Still, some lawmakers don’t like using unclaimed funds for this, and some argue state law does not allow for this. Lawmakers behind it believe they are on solid ground with the plan.
Yet, some lawyers are considering filing a class-action lawsuit to prevent it.
The City of Cleveland has filed in Cuyahoga County Court to enforce the Modell Law and block the Browns move. It would give the city a chance to find new owners for the team.
City Hall spokesperson Tyler Sinclair released a statement to the I-Team that read:
“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.”
The Browns have filed in Federal Court to have the Modell Law thrown out.
