COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns’ push to move out of the city and play in a proposed domed stadium has encountered a new road block.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb sent a letter to owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, saying the city intends to invoke the “Modell Law” to prevent them from leaving the Browns’ current lakefront stadium. The lease expires in 2028.
Bibb said he wants a response from the Browns by Jan. 9 and to comply or the city will “take appropriate legal action,” the letter states.
The Modell Law was passed in 1996 after former Browns owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore. It states that no owner of a professional sports team in Ohio playing in a tax-supported stadium can go elsewhere without an agreement with the city in which it plays or unless that city is given six months’ advance notice with an opportunity to buy the team.
The team previously filed a federal lawsuit in hopes of getting “clarity” on the law. That case is pending.
In response to Bibb’s letter, the Browns said “the statute and the city’s actions create uncertainty and do not serve the interest of Greater Cleveland.”
The city’s threat to use the Modell law is just the latest maneuver in what has become an ugly back-and-forth battle with the Browns.
The Haslams, who have owned the team since 2012, want to build a $2.4 billion domed stadium and surrounding entertainment complex in Brook Park, about 10 miles south of Cleveland. The team wants to split the cost of the stadium with the city and county in a private/public partnership.
The city has proposed paying for half of renovation costs at the current 65,000-seat stadium, which opened in 1999 when the NFL awarded Cleveland an expansion franchise.
The Haslams have argued that repairing the team’s stadium don’t solve bigger issues with parking and overall access. They believe a dome would spur wider regional growth with the ability to attract and host major sporting events and concerts.
With Tagovailoa sidelined by a hip injury, Huntley did enough to keep the Dolphins (8-8) alive with one game left.
Miami needs to win next weekend at the New York Jets and hope the Denver Broncos lose at home to Kansas City to get a wild-card berth. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and many of the top-seeded Chiefs’ starters are expected to rest.
Tagovailoa’s status for next week is unclear, but Huntley showed he can get the job done if necessary.
He finished 22 of 26 for 225 yards and didn’t have any turnovers in his fourth start this season. The 26-year-old was with Cleveland in training camp before being released in August.
The Browns (3-13) dropped their fifth straight and finished 2-6 at home. They improved their draft position for 2025, when they will likely look for a quarterback.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson isn’t the long-term answer. In his second straight start, the second-year QB completed 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards. He also threw an interception, lost a fumble and was flagged three times for intentional grounding.
Both offenses had issues in windy and wet conditions, but Huntley handled them better.
He ran for a 13-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to put the Dolphins up 13-3. After rolling right, Huntley made several precise cuts as he picked his way down the sideline and into the end zone.
The Browns had a chance to cut into the lead, but Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey broke up Thompson-Robinson’s fourth-and-goal pass toward Jerry Jeudy in the end zone.
Huntley connected with tight end Jonnu Smith on a 7-yard TD with 3:38 left.
Miami’s Jason Sanders kicked field goals of 54 and 39 yards. He’s made a franchise-best 25 in a row, the streak helped by a friendly bounce off the crossbar on his 54-yarder in the first quarter.
The Browns tied it when Dustin Hopkins, who was benched for a game during a recent slump, kicked a 25-yard field goal.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett celebrated his 29th birthday with a pair of sacks.
Dolphins: LT Terron Armstead suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and didn’t return. Patrick Paul filled in. … WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) was inactive.
Browns: CB Denzel Ward (shoulder) didn’t play in the second half after getting hurt in the second quarter. … LB Jordan Hicks was ruled out with a head injury. … RB Jerome Ford (ankle) was forced out in the first half. He came back but was only on the field for one play after halftime. … RB Pierre Strong Jr. left with an apparent head injury in the final minutes.
Dolphins: Wrap up the regular season against the Jets on Jan. 4 or 5.
Browns: Visit Baltimore next weekend.
