[Editor’s Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story.]
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found former Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich filed a “friend of the court” brief, adding his legal arguments to the City of Cleveland’s fight to try to convince a judge to block the Browns move to a dome in Brook Park.
This comes to light days after Kucinich wrote a “Taxpayer’s Demand” letter to the City Law Department urging the city to keep fighting the Browns in court.
Kucinich wrote what’s become known as the Modell Law. The law is aimed at keeping sports teams from moving, and he believes it still holds even though state lawmakers just changed the law.
Last week, the governor approved $600 million in state money to help the Browns build an enclosed stadium in Brook Park. The governor approved a change in the law so that sports teams can now move within the state.
Kucinich wrote to the Cuyahoga County court, “The City of Cleveland, having invested hundreds of millions of public dollars, holds rights…that are firmly rooted in Ohio constitutional law and public policy.”
And “The City’s statutory and equitable rights under the Modell Law remain undisturbed and fully enforceable…”
Last year, the Browns filed suit in federal court asking to have the Modell Law ruled unconstitutional. Hearings in that case have now been put on hold following the change in the state law.
However, the city has argued that the matter should be decided in Cuyahoga County court.
Kucinich also wrote, “The Court should treat the Browns’ federal filings as what they are: a coordinated effort to forum shop, undermine state sovereignty…”
Last week, after the “Taxpayer’s Demand” letter, the City of Cleveland issued a statement, saying,
“We have received Mr. Kucinich’s letter. The city is going to continue to protect our taxpayers and promote a world-class waterfront – in court and on the lakefront. We expect that Mr. Kucinich’s concerns will be considered through our continuing litigation with the Haslams.”
Also last week, the owners of the Browns issued video statements.
They plan to invest more than a billion dollars in the dome project. They believe it’ll benefit all of Northeast Ohio.
In the video statements Jimmy Haslam said, “We have the world’s greatest fans. We are going to deliver a world-class stadium. I can argue it’s one of the best stadiums in the country. One of the best in the world.”
And, Dee Haslam added, “It’s about Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.”
The Browns recently took the final steps to buy the property for the new dome complex. They plan to move out of their current stadium at the end of their lease after the 2028 season.
Kucinich believes the purchase of the land for the team to move should also kick in a section of the Modell Law giving the city time to find new owners for the team.
