The Cleveland Browns secured $600M for a new domed stadium in July 2025, but with public opposition boiling over, is this a win or the start of a war?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
It's official: the money is in the bank. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine just signed a state budget that carves out a massive $600 million for the Browns' proposed domed stadium in Brook Park. The Haslam Sports Group is calling it a 'tremendous milestone,' but as the ink dries on that budget, a storm is brewing back in Cleveland. With public opposition mounting and the team's quarterback situation as murky as ever, the biggest win of the offseason might just be the start of the biggest fight.
A recent poll shows 61% of Cuyahoga County voters oppose the Browns' proposed move to a new stadium in Brook Park, with 51% strongly opposed.
The dream of a $2.4 billion domed stadium took a giant leap toward reality today. Governor DeWine's signature on the state budget allocates $600 million in unclaimed funds directly to the project. For the Haslams, this is the validation they've been seeking, a massive public investment to anchor their ambitious plans. In their statement, the Browns praised the 'collaboration' that made it happen. However, critics are firing back, questioning the use of public funds and pointing to a weakening of the Modell Law, which was created specifically to prevent this kind of move. The city of Cleveland has already sued once, and this state-level approval is likely to trigger further legal battles.
While the front office celebrates, the fanbase and local community are deeply divided. A new EMC Research poll puts a stark number on the discontent: 61% of Cuyahoga County voters are against the move to Brook Park. This isn't just about location; it's about the money. The controversy is now threatening the extension of the county's 'sin tax' on alcohol and cigarettes, a crucial funding source for all three major sports venues. The new state budget mandates that any renewed tax must be split equally among the teams, leaving the Guardians and Cavaliers concerned about their own financial futures if the Browns take their ball—and a huge chunk of the public funding—to the suburbs.
As the organization plans a stadium for the next 30 years, the plan for the next 30 weeks at quarterback is a complete mystery. Deshaun Watson, still recovering from a re-injured Achilles, remains a massive question mark. While he's participating in offseason programs, he's not cleared for full football activities, and there's no official timeline for his return. This uncertainty has forced the front office to build a deep, competitive QB room. With veteran Kenny Pickett, last year's folk hero Joe Flacco, and two new rookies from the draft, the Browns are preparing for a full-blown quarterback competition if—or when—it becomes clear Watson won't be ready for Week 1. It's a strange reality: the team is investing billions in a new home while hedging its bets on the $230 million quarterback who's supposed to be leading them.
The Browns are entering a period of profound uncertainty, both on and off the field. While the organization celebrates a major financial win for its stadium ambitions, the battle for public support and the potential for legal challenges are just beginning. Simultaneously, the most critical position on the field is a giant question mark. Will we see a shovel in the ground at Brook Park before we see Deshaun Watson fully cleared for contact? The next few months will be crucial in defining the future of this franchise for decades to come.
