NFL franchise celebrates ‘really big milestone’ in stadium relocation with $30bn benefit to community

Jul 19, 2026 - 14:45

The Cleveland Browns’ new stadium will be owned by a newly-created public entity and leased back to the team.

Brook Park City Council has approved the formation of a New Community Authority, which will help manage the $2.6 billion domed arena and surrounding 178-acre entertainment district.

The Browns hope to bring in non-gameday revenue

The move could save the team around $100 million in taxes, and the Haslam Sports Group hailed a “really big milestone” being passed..

NCAs can issue bonds, collect revenue, enter into leases, and make agreements to help facilitate large projects.

In addition, fees can be added to concert tickets, restaurant tabs, hotel bills, and any other spending in the mixed-use development.

Ted Tywang — chief administrative officer and general counsel for HSG — told News 5 Cleveland: “This really enables a lot of the development. It enables a lot of the infrastructure. It’s a governance mechanism. And it’s a financing mechanism. It’s a big milestone. It’s a really big milestone.”

HSG will hand over 42 acres to the NCA , with the stadium least back for at least 30 years.

A nine-member board will feature five members selected by city officials and four chosen by HSG.

Brook Park Mayor, Edward Orcutt, hailed the partnership, but insisted that major decisions will still be vetted by the council.

The Browns broke ground in April and hope to move into the new Huntington Bank Field for the 2029 season.

An economic impact assessment concluded that the project could bring $30 billion in benefits across three decades.

HSG is spending $1.755 billion, with the rest coming from public money — $600 million from the State of Ohio and $245 million from Brook Park

Cleveland has a bright future off the field but struggles continue on it

Any overruns will be the responsibility of the franchise, run by the Haslam Family.

The additional developments will see the total cost rise to $3.6 billion.

Downtown Cleveland’s loss will be Brook Park’s gain as the franchise relocates around 15 miles south.

Browns quarterback battle

With work progressing, attention will not turn to the practice field as the players return for preseason in July.

The biggest issue will be sorting out the quarterback room with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders going toe-to-toe.

Haslam’s preference is reportedly for Watson to play as he looks to salvage at least some value out of the $230 million contract that has weighed down the franchise.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

But Sanders refuses to go away and probably offers more upside in what has the potential to be an exciting offense thanks to a core of young playmakers.

“I think we mostly know the names of those guys who are going to be breakout players,” beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot said in a radio appearance on 92.3 The Fan.

“When you look at the rookie class, I think there are a number of guys in there. I think KC [Concepcion] has had a great camp. Denzel Boston had an excellent spring ball, and so did [Emmanuel McNeil-Warren] before he got hurt.

“So I think these are three guys to really watch. And of course Spencer [Fano]. So, the rookie class looks really, really good. And I think fans can get excited about that.”

All that talent will be wasted if the man under center cannot function, and Cabot thinks that Sanders remains an unknown entity.

“In terms of veterans on the roster that we haven’t really thought too much about in terms of breaking out this year, I can’t think of anyone that hasn’t already been talked about a lot,” she added.

“We know that Harold Fannin [Jr.] is going to have another great season. We know that Quinshon [Judkins] is getting healthy, and he’s poised to come back very very strong.

“The X-factor, I think, would be Shedeur. I mean, that’s the one where we just don’t know yet if he’s going to win the job, and if he does, if he’s going to be able to build on what he did last year.”

Stay up to date on all things NFL across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.