Cleveland, OH
What is Modell Law? How the OH state law could stop the Cleveland Browns from relocating.
Browns fans react to news of new stadium, move to Brook Park
Fans gave their reactions after team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced the Cleveland Browns are moving to Brook Park to build a new dome stadium.
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.”
Cleveland, OH
US Marshals arrest 2 men accused of killing Maple Heights man in robbery outside Angie’s Soul Café
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The U.S. Marshals confirmed the two suspects wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for the murder of a Maple Heights man robbed outside Angie’s Soul Café in June have been arrested.
Members of the U.S. Marshals’ Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 20-year-old Dominick Newby and 19-year-old Jayshawn Collins early Wednesday morning without incident, USMS stated.
They were found in the 1100 block of East 58th Street in Cleveland, USMS said.
Cleveland police said officers rushed to the 700 block of Carnegie Avenue at 2:30 p.m. on June 17 for a reported robbery outside Angie’s Soul Café.
Officers then learned the victim was shot in the parking lot during a robbery, according to police.
He was taken to University Hospitals where he died.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified him as 34-year-old Patrick Carner of Maple Heights.
Restaurant staff told 19 News the victim was a customer who had come to purchase food and was shot while getting in a car.
A representative from the restaurant released the below statement on June 17:
19 News confirmed through officials that Carner was the man sentenced in connection to the death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Vonnashia Akins died after falling out of a moving car on I-90 in downtown Cleveland during rush hour back in October 2019.
Carner was behind the wheel, and police said he left the scene.
He was sentenced to a total of four years for obstruction of official business and tampering with evidence.
Newby and Collins were identified as suspects in this murder late this summer, USMS said, and the NOVFTF recently started searching for both of them.
“This shooting left one person dead and could have been significantly worse as the shooting took place outside of a busy restaurant in the middle of the day,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated. “The community is a safer place with these two violent individuals off the streets and behind bars.”
Anyone with information on a wanted fugitive can call the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you send a tip online.
Reward money is available for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a wanted fugitive, and tipsters can stay anonymous.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
2025 PICKLE IN THE LAND | December 11, 2025 | Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
The Midwest’s premier pickleball tournament is back this December 11-14 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland!
Find out when you play by clicking the division start times below! Please note, that these times are subject to change.
DIVISION START TIMES
REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE
Dry-fit t-shirt
PITL Magnetic…
Cleveland, OH
Ask Yadi: Who to tell about a family health crisis: Navigating communication during uncertainty
CLEVELAND, Oh – My vibrant, active 84-year-old father started having seizures this week. He’s otherwise very healthy, so seizures came as a surprise. An MRI in the local ER determined that he has brain tumors. We won’t know until later this week if they’re benign or malignant. This is a tough situation for our family.
My question is who do we tell? Do we keep the information to our immediate family until we know more? Do I tell close friends now or later? What and when do I tell anyone at work? Who do I tell at work? Will people think I’m dramatic if I tell them? Will they think I’m rude if I don’t?
I just don’t know what to do.
ANSWER: First off, wishing you and your family the very best. Health issues are always difficult, but they’re especially tough during the holidays. It’s shocking to go to the hospital for one issue and discover something unexpected.
As for who to tell, that completely depends on how close your family is, how they handle this type of news and how supportive they will be. I am glad that you have immediate family around who can be there with you during this time. If you don’t have a close relationship with your immediate family members, it’s okay to lean on trusted friends outside the family if needed for personal support.
It is OK for you to keep the news within your immediate family until you know more. If you feel that they do need to know, perhaps you have one person assigned to be the “contact” person. Most families have one person who’s good at sharing news. You can let them know and assign them to share the news with everyone else.
The last thing that you need while sitting with your father is a barrage of questions and texts that you just can’t answer right now. Once you get the diagnosis that may be the time to share all of the information.
You can also ask your father what he would prefer, if he is up to it. He may not want anyone else to know yet. Or he may say, tell them all. Give him the option to decide, if he is able to communicate his wishes. This may alleviate some of your stress, which is the last thing you need.
As for work, don’t worry about being dramatic. Do what’s comfortable for you. You can speak specifically to HR if you aren’t comfortable sharing with your boss. If you are close to specific co-workers share with them what you are comfortable with.
Check out even more prior Ask Yadi columns here.
Do you have a question or an etiquette predicament that you want advice on? Send me an “Ask Yadi” email at yrodriguez@cleveland.com
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