Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb isn't happy about the Browns' relocation to Brook Park
And while the Browns are very happy about the outcome, Cleveland is not.
"We are deeply disappointed that the final state budget includes both a $600 million public subsidy for a domed stadium in Brook Park and changes to Ohio's [Art] Modell Law — provisions we strongly opposed and requested be removed," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said Tuesday, via WKYC.com. "Relocating the Browns will divert economic activity from downtown, create a competing entertainment district, and disrupt the momentum of our lakefront redevelopment."
The change to the Art Modell Law allows Ohio teams to move within Ohio. Given that the Ohio legislature created the initial law after the Browns moved to Baltimore in 1996, it seems that there's little room for Cleveland to fight the legislature's decision to change the law.
The planned use of unclaimed funds to pay the $600 million to the Browns may become a bigger impediment to the plan. A 2009 decision of the Ohio Supreme Court could provide the basis of a challenge to the plan to tap into the money for the purposes of funding the new stadium.
Put simply, "unclaimed funds" are not abandoned. They remain the property of those who have not claimed them. The argument would be that those funds cannot be redistributed by the state for the purposes of building a new football stadium.
And so, even as the Browns declare victory and rush forward to make plans for selling season tickets to their new stadium, there's a chance that Ohio will have to scrap the plan to pay the $600 million via unclaimed funds and come up with an alternative approach.
The one approach that will never happen is to put the issue to the voters. When the voters have a chance to say whether their money will be used to subsidize the multibillionaire owners of sports teams, the response is usually, "Hell no."
As it arguably should be. With the values of NFL teams skyrocketing, why shouldn't NFL teams pay for their own stadiums? The habit of using public funds for such projects feels less like good governance and more like the misadventures of Dennis Moore.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mercury Star Satou Sabally Sends Brutally Honest Message to WNBA Amid Tension
Mercury Star Satou Sabally Sends Brutally Honest Message to WNBA Amid Tension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Less than 24 hours after the WNBA celebrated the league's biggest expansion yet, one of The W's brightest stars called out the decision makers loud and clear. Advertisement Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally didn't hold back when she spoke to reporters Tuesday. The WNBPA rep straight up called the league's latest CBA proposal a 'slap in the face,' per Front Office Sports. Sabally's frustration came as the league announced three new teams: Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia, that will push the WNBA to a record 18 franchises by 2030. 'I love to see the league growing,' Sabally said. 'But how cool would it also be to have a little bit of expansion on the rosters? Let's focus on the teams that have everything set up right now.' Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally passes the ball against the New York Liberty© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images The ongoing conversation comes as the WNBA is negotiating a new CBA with players as the current agreement expires in Oct. Players want more roster spots and improved pay before the league spreads itself thinner. Advertisement According to Colin Salao of Front Office Sports, the league sent its first proposal to the union last week. The insider's source revealed the pitch didn't fully address the players' concerns. The money flowing into the league is more lucrative than ever. Expansion teams paid a reported $250 million per franchise. The NBA and WNBA secured a new media rights deal worth as much as $3 billion. Still, players feel their share hasn't grown fast enough. Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson made it clear last week. 'It's time for a CBA that reflects our true value,' Cunningham said, per Sports Illustrated. Advertisement Even Caitlin Clark chimed in Tuesday on Instagram Live. 'We get more for [the Commissioner's Cup] than you do if you're a [WNBA champion]," Clark said candidly. "Makes no sense. Someone tell Cathy [Engelbert] to help us out.' The clock is ticking on a new deal, and Sabally is making sure everyone's watching. Related: Mercury Coach Doesn't Hold Back on Diana Taurasi's Possible Final Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ohio State football gets commitment from California quarterback Luke Fahey
Ohio State has landed a quarterback commitment for its 2026 recruiting class. Four-star prospect Luke Fahey from Mission Viejo, California, pledged to become a Buckeye on July 3. He becomes the 20th member of OSU's recruiting class. The Ohio State University athletic department logo, 2017. [provided by OSU] Fahey, listed at 6-0 and 185 pounds, is ranked 24th among quarterbacks in the 247Sports composite rankings. Advertisement More: Ohio State football's Jeremiah Smith signs Adidas deal, but can't wear its shoes in games Ohio State was a late entry into Fahey's recruitment after several other quarterbacks committed to other schools. He didn't visit Ohio State until June 20. Fahey chose Ohio State over Stanford and Indiana. More: Ohio State football gets defensive line commitment for second straight day Fahey will be reunited at Ohio State with freshman receiver Phillip Bell, who also played at Mission Viejo. According to 247Sports, Fahey threw for 1,638 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior last season. He completed 76.6% of his passes and did not throw an interception. Advertisement Fahey also has played basketball and lacrosse in high school. Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts. Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at brabinowitz@ or on bluesky at billrabinowitz@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Luke Fahey joins Ohio State football's 2026 recruiting class
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sophie Cunningham clarifies comments on Detroit, Cleveland WNBA expansion: 'I think people totally misread the situation'
As the WNBA prepares to welcome Detroit and Cleveland teams back into the league, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been one of the most vocally opposed to the move. Earlier this week, Cunningham went viral for comments, where she expressed skepticism that players would be "excited" to play in those two cities. Now, after days of a heated reaction from fans and the cities themselves, Cunningham took the time to clarify what she meant. The guard spoke to reporters ahead of the Fever's home game against the Las Vegas Aces, saying that her comments were misinterpreted. "First of all, I know the history of the WNBA. I know that both of those cities have had teams before and got us where we're at, so I'm thankful for that. All I was really getting at was Broadway, the off-court lifestyle," Cunningham said. "I think that is really intriguing. I think Miami's intriguing. That's all I was getting at. I'm thankful for all they've done for our history of the sport." Cunningham has originally spoken about the expansion on Tuesday, mentioning whether Detroit and Cleveland would be able to draw fans and players — and accidentally said the wrong Ohio city while she said it. Advertisement "It's a hard decision-making situation, but, man, I don't know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or Cincinnati," Cunningham said Tuesday. In the days since, outrage has been swift. The City of Cleveland and City of Detroit both clapped back against Cunningham on X; the Visit Detroit tourism account posted a video on Tik Tok in response to Cunningham's comments, captioned, "Tell us you've never been to Detroit without telling us you've never been to Detroit." Some fans took the time to point out that Cunningham disparaging Midwestern cities was particularly ironic, since she grew up in Missouri and currently lives in Indianapolis. On Thursday, Cunningham said that she was misunderstood. "I think people totally misread the situation. I would never speak down upon middle-class, blue-collar working people. That's where I come from. I'm from Missouri. I get I'm in Indiana, and that's why I'm kind of hinting at Broadway sounds fun, Sophie in Miami sounds fun. That's all I was getting at," she said. Advertisement Notably, one of Cunningham's points — both on Tuesday and on Thursday — is that Detroit and Cleveland both have a pre-existing NBA franchise, something that seems to be a boost when it comes to the WNBA's recent expansion. Bids placed by other cities without NBA teams, including a promising Nashville bid backed by Peyton Manning and Candace Parker, seemed to miss out on that leg up. "I think it would be fun to get some teams outside of the NBA market," Cunningham said Thursday. Another criticism of upcoming WNBA expansion is that the teams are concentrated to specific parts of the U.S. For example, there are only two teams — Dallas and Atlanta — in the South, even including the incoming expansion franchises. Advertisement Or, as Cunningham said on Tuesday: "You would think that you would want to try to get more of the country engaged in the WNBA." On Thursday, when asked about the reaction to the comments, Cunningham said that she accepts that people will have their opinions on what she says.