The Cleveland Browns are coming to Brook Park in 2029. Mayor Justin M. Bibb and the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) came together to make the final decision on the team’s future. As Brad Stainbrook just reported, HSG announced that the Browns will move to a domed facility in Brook Park as part of a historic $100 million agreement between the two parties.

“Because of Mayor Bibb’s leadership, and this monumental public-private partnership,” HSG Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a joint statement, “we are accelerating the transformation of Cleveland’s lakefront while delivering a new world-class stadium and mixed-use development in Brook Park. It’s a win for the city, the region, and the fans.”

Mayor Bibb also showed enthusiasm over the project and partnership. “I’m proud to deliver this historic deal,” he said, “to the residents of the City of Cleveland. My administration, with the Haslams’ support, will finally unlock the full potential of our lakefront, benefiting all residents and attracting new investment to the City.”

As per the deal, the HSG will reportedly make an initial $25 million payment to the City of Cleveland by December 1, 2025. The company will also cover the $30 million cost to demolish and prepare the current Huntington Bank Field site for redevelopment.

The company will contribute $5 million annually for five years, totaling another $25 million, which will start from 2029 to 2033. Once the current lease ends, the group will invest at least $2 million each year for a decade in Community Benefit Projects such as Lake Erie waterfront, as per WKYC.

Moreover, both parties agreed to dismiss ongoing lawsuits and collaborate on major infrastructure efforts tied to the new stadium. And the work includes improving roads, airports, and other infrastructure to support the new Brook Park stadium and other developments.

Now, as the Browns struggle with a 1-5 record after the defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the owner has successfully sealed the future for the team. However, the sentiments are not the same for everyone in Cleveland.

Members of the City Council expressed issues with the agreement

The city of Cleveland wasn’t fond of the team leaving the downtown Huntington Bank Field behind and opposed the decision. Back in January, Cleveland even sued the Browns for “Modell Law,” which prevents professional sports teams that use publicly funded facilities from relocating or even beginning the process without permission or six months’ notice.

The Browns had previously notified the city last October of their plan to build a $2.4 billion stadium and entertainment complex in Brook Park.

After the agreement, Council President Blaine Griffin shared that “some councilmembers” were upset over it. Many more raised concerns during the latest council meeting. One of the members was reportedly Ward 16 Councilman Brian Kazy.

“Mayor Bibb, I thought that I could never be gut-punched,” Kazy addressed the mayor, “as hard as I could on that day until I heard the announcement earlier today.”

He even urged the city not to accept the money from Haslems if they are going to lose the team to Brook Park.

“I would rather die poor fighting,” he challenged, “to lose that team than to take one dime from individuals like the Haslams to keep them. I would pay out-of-pocket myself everything I own to tear that stadium down and live with the honor that I didn’t lie next to them and accept their money. It’s dirty money, it’s not good money at all.”

Some council members, such as Ward 8 Councilman Mike Polensek, felt that the Haslams were paying too little. He pointed out that Cleveland could lose around $30 million a year if the team left, as per past studies. And the list of critics and their reasons to oppose the idea is long.

But it is happening with the Browns gearing up for a new home.