CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns' proposal to leave the lakefront and play in a new domed stadium in Cleveland's suburbs has hit a major snag.
In a letter sent to team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Cuyahoga County officials said Sunday they're backing a proposed $1.2 billion renovation of the team's current stadium and are committed to keeping the NFL franchise in downtown Cleveland “for generations to come.”
Earlier this week, the team u nveiled renderings for a $2.4 billion state-of-the-art stadium and entertainment complex to be built in Brook Park, Ohio — about 15 miles south of Cleveland.
The Haslams, who have owned the Browns since 2012, believe a new stadium that could host year-round events, potentially a Super Bowl and Final Fours, would trigger development and economic growth for the entire Northeast Ohio region.
The Browns' proposal came after the city of Cleveland submitted giving $461 million toward a massive renovation of the current 65,000-seat stadium, which was built in 1999, and the re-development of its surrounding property.
In the letter signed by executive Chris Ronayne and council president Pernell Jones Jr., the county argued that a new stadium “does not make fiscal sense” for Cuyahoga's residents and taxpayers.
“Moreover, any proposal that would create an unacceptable risk to the County’s general fund cannot be considered,” the letter stated. "We believe it is our responsibility and in the best interests of our community to prioritize reinvestment in existing public assets.”
The Browns had no immediate response to the county's stance.
Funding for the dome/complex project figured to be a major challenge with the Haslams proposing a 50-50 private/public partnership in the $2.4 billion project. They proposed bonds could cover the public portion with the money coming from revenue generated by the dome and its surrounding hotels and retail sites.
The Browns' current stadium lease ends after the 2028 season. The team has played on the site since its inception in 1946.
Part of the county's argument is that having the Browns downtown is essential to a vibrant city core, and pointed to public investments in Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians, and an expansion at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as signs of urban development.
“The stadium is more than just a venue. The team represents the heart and soul of Northeast Ohio, and reinforces our community's identity and pride,” the letter said.
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This artists rendering provided by HKS shows a proposed domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns. (HKS/Cleveland Browns via AP)
This artists rendering provided by HKS shows a proposed domed stadium for the Cleveland Browns. (HKS/Cleveland Browns via AP)
FILE - Cleveland Browns Stadium during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Julio Rodríguez homered twice to drive in five runs, George Kirby went six innings for his 13th victory and the AL wild card-chasing Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 8-2 on Friday night.
Rodríguez put the Mariners (79-75) ahead to stay with his three-run homer in the fifth off Jack Leiter, who relieved Jacob deGrom after the two-time Cy Young Award winner made his first home start in nearly 17 months after elbow surgery.
Seattle remained two games behind Minnesota for the third and final wild card after the Twins beat Boston 4-2 in 12 innings. The Mariners stayed five back of Houston in the AL West with eight games remaining, three in Houston.
“We’re still in it. Everyone’s confident. Just got to to keep playing good baseball," Kirby said.
“It feels great. Obviously we have a shot to get into the playoffs,” Rodríguez said. “But I feel like everybody knows that and understands that at the same time we've got to take it one day at a time. ... We've got to focus on that right now.”
Rodríguez tied a career high for RBIs with his first multihomer game this season. His first homer put Seattle up 4-2, and he went deep off the rookie right-hander again in the seventh with a two-run shot the opposite way to right field for his 18th of the year.
Kirby (13-11) beat the reigning World Series champions again, five days after facing the minimum 21 batters over seven scoreless innings at home against them. The 26-year-old right-hander is 7-0 with a 1.15 ERA in nine career starts against Texas. He struck out four without a walk this time while allowing two runs on five hits.
“George jumped picked up right where he left off against Texas back at home,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said.
Nathaniel Lowe had a two-run single for the Rangers (73-81), who have already been eliminated from the AL West race and are on the verge of being officially knocked out of wild-card contention and guaranteed a losing record.
Lowe's hit ended Kirby's streak of 34 consecutive scoreless innings against Texas in a span of seven starts since Sept. 28, 2022.
DeGrom struck out five over three innings, and the only run he allowed was when No. 9 batter Josh Rojas led off the third with a homer. Rojas later added a sacrifice fly.
Leiter (0-3) allowed seven runs (six earned) over five innings. He struck out five and walked two while throwing 57 of 92 pitches for strikes.
A week after throwing 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his season debut on the road, also against the Mariners, deGrom threw 37 of 58 pitches for strikes and had one walk. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had said the 36-year-old right-hander would throw about 60 pitches.
“Definitely felt better than my first one. I think maybe a little bit less nerves, worked on some things in between,” said deGrom, who will get one more start this season. "It’s little things that I've got to continue to work on, but my arm felt good and that was the most important thing.”
It was the first start at home for deGrom since he left in the middle of the fourth inning against the New York Yankees on April 28, 2023. That was the sixth and last start in the first season of his $185 million, five-year contract.
UP NEXT
Three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer (2-4, 3.95 ERA) makes his second start since coming off the IL after missing 40 games with right shoulder fatigue and an arm nerve issue. Rookie right-hander Emerson Hancock (3-4, 4.83) starts for Seattle.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe (30) hits a two-run single in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez celebrates in the dugout after a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners Josh Rojas (4) celebrates in the dugout after a solo home run against the Texas Rangers in the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) and catcher Jonah Heim (28) walk back to the dugout in the first inning in a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez (44) hits a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez reacts toward the dugout as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
