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, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio Supreme Court made a ruling Friday in connection with the murder conviction of the driver that killed Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick.
According to the Ohio Supreme Court, the trial court had sufficient evidence to convict Leander Bissell of felony murder for speeding through an accident scene.
Cleveland Firefighter Tetrick, 51, was killed on Nov. 19, 2022.
Bissell struck Firefighter Tetrick on I-90 East near Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and then fled the scene. Bissell was arrested later that evening.
Firefighter Tetrick was assisting with a rollover crash, when he was struck. He was pronounced dead at University Hospitals.
In July 2023, Bissell had a bench trial in front of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCormick and was found guilty on all charges, including, murder.
In August 2023, Bissell was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 16 years.
In November 2024, the Eighth District Court of Appeals overturned the murder conviction, finding the State failed to prove that Bissell acted “knowingly.”
The court of appeals found Bissell guilty of involuntary manslaughter, which would impose a sentence of only up to 11 years.
The state then appealed that decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.
“This is a victory for Firefighter Tetrick’s family and Ohio’s first responders. Firefighter Tetrick died while serving the public after Leander Bissell sped through a clearly marked accident scene, traversed the berm striking Tetrick, and fled. As the Ohio Supreme Court states, ‘The Eighth District’s reasoning is wrong.’ Thankfully, their decision today corrected that wrong,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley.
Thousands of people attended Firefighter Tetrick’s funeral on Nov. 26, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Ann S. Asher (nee Shaia), age 88, of Orange Village, OH, passed away peacefully in her home on May 28, 2026. Cherished wife of Tony Asher for 65 years; loving and devoted mother of Michelle Asher (Steve Timlin), Edward Asher (Rebecca), Suzanne Broadbent (Daniel), T.J. Asher (Cindy), and Jamey Asher (Wendy); dearest grandmother (Sittee) of Anthony Asher, Riley Asher (Richard Markiewicz), Eddie Asher (Chi), Taylor Lindquist (Ryan), Shelby Broadbent, Noah Broadbent, Zack Asher, Madison Woods (Dave), Tony A. Asher, Michael Asher, Ralph Asher, and Anna Rose Asher; great-grandmother of River, Jasper and Eliza Markiewicz; daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Shaia; sister of Dr. Fred Shaia (Rose), Victor Shaia (Cheryl), and Diane Fistek (Tom); beloved aunt, great-aunt and dear friend of many. Ann was a longtime member of The Immaculate Conception Sodality and the Lebanese Syrian Junior Women’s League.
Known as Mom, Sittee, Aunt Ann, and my Annie, her family was her world—and she was the heart of theirs. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Maron Church and never missed a weekly service. She attended all of her grandkids’ games, performances, and school events, always there with a smile and unwavering love and support. A good day for Ann was being with her husband, family, and friends. Her presence was a constant source of warmth and encouragement, and her absence will be deeply felt. She will remain in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Maron Church, 7800 Brookside Rd., Independence, OH 44131.
Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maron Church, 1245 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 11 am. Please meet at the church. Interment private. Family and friends received at The Ripepi Funeral Home, 5762 Pearl Rd (at Snow Rd.) on Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Prayers of Incense at 5 p.m.
Members of the community are invited to learn about child safety
[Cleveland, OH] FBI Cleveland, together with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Cleveland Division of Police, Bellefaire JCB, and the Canopy Child Advocacy Center, will staff a community table to spread awareness of missing children in our area, and share child safety information with the community.
Who FBI Cleveland, Law Enforcement and Community Partners
What National Missing Children’s Day
When Thursday, May 28, 2026
Where Westown Square (10820 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland)
Time 3:00pm – 5:00pm
While National Missing Children’s Day was May 25, the FBI wants to help the public understand that every day, children either go missing or remain missing and someone either knows something about a disappearance or knows of someone who has information to bring that child home. It is important to know that the FBI will look at all tips and leads and people who submit information can do so anonymously.
FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo
“When the FBI receives a call that a child has gone missing, we know the clock is ticking. Our mission is to identify, locate, and recover the child victim. That is why our community, business, and law enforcement partnerships are a vital component to the work we do. Of those, the partnership with the community is paramount in helping us locate missing children. Somebody knows something, and it is important to step-up and share information; more so, know that one’s identity can remain anonymous when sharing tips or leads, no matter how old the information is or how insignificant you think your information might be.”
During the event, the FBI and its partners will highlight posters of the many children who are still missing and provide important safety information for parents, guardians, and caregivers to keep children safe. The FBI Evidence Response Team truck will be on site to show some of the tools used in aiding a child recovery and law enforcement partners will have child safe kits and activity books to share.
Many don’t realize that a child can be “missing” when the child has run away, is lost, or otherwise abducted– not only by a stranger, but also by a family member, for example, a non-custodial parent or in some cases, a family member who poses an extreme risk to the child, such as a registered sex offender.
How the FBI is involved
The FBI was given jurisdiction under the “Lindbergh Law” in 1932 to immediately investigate any reported mysterious disappearance or kidnapping involving a child of “tender age”—usually 12 or younger. However, the FBI goes one step further:
• When any child is missing under the age of 18, the FBI can become involved as an assisting agency to the local police department.
• There does not have to be a ransom demand
• The child does NOT have to cross the state lines or be missing for 24 hours.
Research indicates the quicker the reporting of the mysterious disappearance or abduction the more likely the successful outcome in returning the child unharmed.
To report a missing child:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-THE LOST
FBI 1-800-CALL FBI(1-800-225-5324)
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