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Cleveland, OH

Browns owners commit only to Northeast Ohio, leaving questions about future stadium site

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Browns owners commit only to Northeast Ohio, leaving questions about future stadium site


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Browns have called the city and the downtown lakefront home for decades but in a news conference on Monday, co-owner Jimmy Haslam would only commit to keeping the team in Northeast Ohio.

“These things take time. The only thing Dee [Haslam] and I will say for sure is we’re not leaving northeastern Ohio. That’s for sure. Our preference is to be on the lakefront but we have to see how things play out. It will be fluid and there will be bumps on the road. It may be different in three months,” Mr. Haslam said.

Mrs. Haslam reiterated that the team hopes to continue playing at the current stadium, but with major renovations to the facility and surrounding area.

“Number one, we want to continue having conversations about how we remodel the stadium and stay vibrant on the lakefront. We thing it’s really critical for the community. The lakefront is a just an important process. Outside of us, the lakefront in Cleveland has to be developed,” she said.

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But it was the comments made by Mr. Haslam that sparked new questions about exactly what the ownership group is hoping for.

“I think plan B is going to the suburbs and I think they’re going to threaten the city with it eventually,” said ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Rizzo. “What I’m saying is, if the Browns were smart, and they are. They’ll have a plan B if the city doesn’t want to play ball with them.”

A spokesperson for Mayor Justin Bibb’s confirmed to 19 News the city is still engaged in active stadium talks with the Browns, but the said the city did not have any updates on the progress.

The Haslams said representatives from the organization continue to speak with representatives from city, county and state offices on a regular basis.

Earlier this year, real estate writer Ken Prendergast wrote on his NEOtrans blog that the Haslams actually favored new construction away from the lakefront.

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“My understanding is they would still like to consider options and this is still a fluid situation,” he told 19 News on Tuesday.

Citing his sources, Prendergast said the Haslams have looked into a site just east of downtown, potentially on the site of the current post office at 2400 Orange Ave. near Progressive Field.

It’s unclear if the Browns have identified any possible sites outside of the city, but Prendergast isn’t optimistic a logical site exists.

“It’s possible but where do you build in the suburbs that’s close to an interstate county that has that kind of land? Unless you’re going to convince the county to give up the jail site, I don’t see it anywhere near close to highways and where population is,” he said.

“It’s not a done deal. Until they have signed contracts, anything and everything is possible,” Prendergast added.

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The Browns lease with the city expires in 2028.



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Cleveland, OH

Ohio Legislature investing $20 million toward North Coast Connector

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Ohio Legislature investing $20 million toward North Coast Connector


CLEVELAND — The Ohio Legislature is investing $20 million into the North Coast Connector that, according to a City of Cleveland press release, is going to support a land bridge between downtown and the lakefront.


What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Legislature is investing $20 million into the North Coast Connector that, according to a City of Cleveland press release, is going to support a land bridge between downtown and the lakefront
  • This connector will conjoin the Cleveland Convention Center and “future hotel and entertainment development on the lakefront”
  • The city expects this connector to increase growth and attract investments to the city in addition to increasing pedestrian traffic and local tourism

“The North Coast Connector is a game-changer for Cleveland and will have a lasting impact on our city’s economic growth and development,” Mayor Justin Bibb said in the release. “This land bridge will not only enhance connectivity between downtown and the lakefront but also create new opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors alike. We are incredibly grateful for the support and dedication of our state partners who championed this project, as well as the residents, business and civic leaders who advocated tirelessly for its realization.”

This connector will conjoin the Cleveland Convention Center and “future hotel and entertainment development on the lakefront.” It will also, according to the release, allow for 20 acres of “underutilized surface parking for future economic development.”


The city expects this connector to increase growth and attract investments to the city in addition to increasing pedestrian traffic and local tourism.

“The City of Cleveland looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to bring this transformative project to fruition,” the release reads. “Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for our city and region.”

The release states that the funding comes via the spending package in House Bill 2, which was passed by the assembly and is now just waiting on a signature from Gov. Mike DeWine.





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Cleveland, OH

Randall Cobb and family 'lucky to be alive' after fire causes serious damage to Nashville home

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Randall Cobb and family 'lucky to be alive' after fire causes serious damage to Nashville home


CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 28: Randall Cobb #18 of the New York Jets looks on on from the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) (Cooper Neill via Getty Images)

NFL wide receiver Randall Cobb and his wife, Aiyda, posted on Instagram Wednesday that “we are lucky to be alive” after the family escaped a fire at their home in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to Aiyda Cobb’s Instagram story, a Tesla charger caught on fire in their garage and spread quickly.

“We are lucky to be alive. … We got out of the house with nothing but the clothes on our back and no shoes on our feet,” Aiyda Cobb wrote.

In the joint statement posted by the Cobbs, they thanked the Nashville Fire Department “for their swift action” and for helping rescue the family dog, Louie.

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“I can’t get the image of the brave firefighter getting into position out of my head; he didn’t even have water to shoot yet. I truly thought the cars were going to explode and that we would lose him to this tragedy. He is a true hero,” the Cobbs wrote. “Unfortunately we don’t know how much, if anything, will be salvageable, but this has been a reminder that nothing is more important than the health of our family.

“We are grateful for our incredible community in Nashville, and the support from our close friends that have given us a temporary roof over our heads and shoulders to lean on.”

The Cobbs have three children.

The joint Instagram post by the Cobbs included videos of burned cars and the level of damage to their garage.

Randall Cobb, 33, is a free agent. He spent the 2023 NFL season with the New York Jets. He played 10 years with the Green Bay Packers and one season each with the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys.





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Cleveland, OH

Kevin Love Reportedly Makes Decision On Miami Heat Contract

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Kevin Love Reportedly Makes Decision On Miami Heat Contract


Kevin Love is coming off his second year playing for the Miami Heat.

The former UCLA star finished the season with averages of 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 44.0% from the field and 34.4% from the three-point range in 55 games.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Love will decline the player option in his contract and become a free agent.

Via Wojnarowski: “ESPN Sources: Miami Heat F/C Kevin Love is declining his $4M player option, but both sides are enthusiastic about negotiating a new deal in the opening days of free agency. The five-time All-Star has played the past two seasons with the Heat.”

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Based on Wojnarowski’s reporting, it sounds like Love will likely end up back in Miami.

Kevin Love

Apr 24, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) signs an autograph before warming up before game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Love was initially the fifth pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and has played 16 seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves (in addition to Miami).

He has career averages of 16.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.9% from the three-point range in 929 regular season games.

The 2016 NBA Champion has also appeared in 88 playoff games (80 starts).

He has been to the Finals five times in his career.

Kevin Love

Apr 9, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) passes the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

As for the Heat, they finished the 2023-24 season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 46-36 record.

They lost to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games).

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