In a move to block the Cleveland Browns from moving out of the city, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb intends to invoke Modell Law to prevent the team from relocating to a new domed stadium in Brook Park.

A letter from Bibb was sent to Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam this week, where it outlined the city of Cleveland’s plans to enforce the Art Modell Law, challenging their decision to move from downtown Cleveland.

The city’s latest move comes just two months after the Browns announced their plans to vacate their current lakefront stadium after the 2028 season. Both the Browns and the city have since gone back and forth in legal battles, as the Browns in October filed a lawsuit against the city, describing the Modell Law as “unconstitutional” and denied violating the state law.

The Browns have until Jan. 9 to respond and comply or the city will “take appropriate legal action,” according to the letter.

Here’s what to know about Modell Law and what it means for those involved.

What is Modell Law? State law was named after former Browns owner Art Modell

The Art Modell Law gives the city and residents the chance to purchase the team before it moves to play home games at a different location.

The law in question, Ohio Revised Code 9.67, under state law says that the city must receive six month’s advanced notice to give locals and residents the opportunity to buy the team before they leave.

“No owner of a professional sports team that uses a tax-supported facility for most of its home games and receives financial assistance from the state or a political subdivision thereof shall cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games,” the law states.

Modell Law was enacted in June 1996 after owner Art Modell moved the original Browns franchise to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens, according to previous reporting from the Beacon Journal.

An ongoing battle

According to the letter, the Browns would have to sell the team, even though the Browns’ lease with the city expires at the end of 2028 which drove the owner’s original decision to move. The new location in Brook Park is about 20 minutes from Huntington Bank Field’s current location.

Here is the letter in full, obtained by Fox 8 News in Cleveland:

“I am writing this letter on behalf of the City of Cleveland (the “City”) to the Cleveland Browns Football Company LLC (the “Browns”), as owner of the professional sports team known as the Cleveland Browns,” the letter states.

“As you are well aware, in 1996, following the relocation of the Browns to Baltimore, the Ohio General Assembly enacted, and the Governor signed, Ohio Revised Code § 9.67. Known as the Modell Law, the statute provides in full:

“No owner of a professional sports team that uses a tax-supported facility for most of its home games and receives financial assistance from the state or a political subdivision thereof shall cease playing most of its home games at the facility and begin playing most of its home games elsewhere unless the owner either:

“(A) Enters into an agreement with the political subdivision permitting the team to play most of its home games elsewhere; “(B) Gives the political subdivision in which the facility is located not less than six months’ advance notice of the owner’s intention to cease playing most of its home games at the facility and, during the six months after such notice, gives the political subdivision or any individual or group of individuals who reside in the area the opportunity to purchase the team.”

“And if that opportunity were provided, the City intends to take a leadership role in assembling an ‘individual or group of individuals who reside in the area’ in purchasing the team,” the letter states. “If the Browns intend to begin the six-month window during which the team must be offered for purchase, please identify (1) the date on which the team will be offered for purchase and (2) a date and time at which we can send our representatives to begin inspection and evaluation of the Browns’ records, as defined in R.C. § 1706.01.”

According to the mayor’s letter, the Browns will have until Jan. 9 to respond and comply to the city’s measures or the city will “take appropriate legal action.”