Ohio Grants Browns $600M Public Funding New Stadium Brook Park

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a state budget that allocates $600 million in public funds toward the Cleveland Browns' new $2.4 billion domed stadium project in the suburb of Brook Park. This funding comes from unclaimed state funds and is part of a larger $1.7 billion grant fund to support cultural and sports facilities in Ohio. The Browns' ownership, Haslam Sports Group, has purchased the 176-acre site for the stadium and committed $2 billion in private capital toward a $3.6 billion mixed-use development surrounding the venue, with Brook Park also pledging $400 million in public funding. The new stadium aims to be a fan-centric, innovative facility designed to host year-round events and spur significant economic development in the region. However, the project faces legal challenges from former Ohio officials who argue that using unclaimed funds for the stadium is unconstitutional and illegal. Despite these hurdles, the Browns plan to begin construction in early 2026, signaling a major shift in the team's location and infrastructure.