The Cleveland Browns have filed a lawsuit against the city of Cleveland, claiming that the city’s efforts to negotiate a new stadium deal are harming taxpayers and Northeast Ohio residents. The team’s new court filing argues that the city lacks a concrete plan to build a new stadium by 2029, when the current lease is set to expire.
According to the filing, the city has not made sufficient effort to partner with the Browns on development plans, despite years of discussions. Instead, the city proposes to refurbish an existing 30-year-old stadium, which would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars without providing sustainable economic benefits or a new home for the team.
The Browns also claim that the current lakefront stadium is deteriorating and idle most of the year, making it unsuitable as a replacement. The team has reaffirmed its commitment to Northeast Ohio with plans for a new domed stadium located “less than a mile from Cleveland city limits.”
The filing seeks damages from the city for expenses related to the ongoing legal battle and asks for permission to add new parties and claims to the federal lawsuit.
Source: https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/03/18/hold-browns-hostage-browns-new-filing-says-citys-fight-harms-clevelanders-taxpayers