The Ohio Attorney General has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Cleveland Browns against the City of Cleveland. The Browns claim that the city’s law restricting sports teams from moving is unconstitutional and enforceable, while the city believes it is the proper venue for addressing disputes related to state laws.
According to a statement released by Cleveland City Law Director Mark Griffin, the city is seeking dismissal because they believe that state court is the appropriate venue for resolving disputes. The Modell Law, which restricts sports teams from moving, was designed to protect all Ohioans from billionaires who ask for hundreds of millions in taxpayer gifts and then walk away.
Griffin stated that the City has kept every promise to the Browns, providing over $150 million in lakefront development grants to support the $350 million already invested in Browns Stadium. However, the city is facing a new bill for $2 million in stadium repairs.
Cleveland Councilman Kris Harsh admitted that the situation raises questions about how much money should be spent on the stadium while the Browns want to move to a dome in Brook Park after the 2028 season. The City has filed a suit against the Browns and is asking a judge to enforce the Modell Law, which restricts sports teams from moving.
The Browns had previously sued the city in federal court, claiming that they don’t believe the Modell Law is constitutional or enforceable. However, they have since sent a letter outlining stadium repair work that they expect to complete over the next 6 months and are considering it as emergency repairs.
Source: https://fox8.com/news/the-state-of-ohio-now-asking-a-federal-court-to-dismiss-the-lawsuit-filed-by-the-browns