Brook Park mayor details pitch for proposed Browns stadium deal

Cash for Brook Park, tax break for Browns football stadium deal before council

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:07pm

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Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt outlined the first pieces of a proposed financial arrangement for a new Browns stadium deal, including $24.8 million in upfront payments from the Haslam Sports Group to cover city expenses. The deal would also waive construction permit fees and structure the project as a public project to make construction materials exempt from state and county sales taxes, potentially saving over $100 million. Orcutt said the goal is to ensure the stadium is a financial plus, not a drain, for the city.

Why it matters

This is the first public detailing of the financial terms being negotiated between Brook Park and the Browns' parent company, Haslam Sports Group, for a new $2.6 billion indoor stadium that the team wants to build in the suburb. The deal aims to ensure the stadium project is a net positive for the city's finances rather than a burden.

The details

Under the proposal, the Haslam Sports Group would pay $24.8 million to Brook Park in installments leading up to the stadium's planned 2029 opening. This would cover city expenses like new police cars, ambulances, sidewalk improvements, traffic cameras, and construction inspections. The city would also waive construction permit fees and structure the deal as a public project to make construction materials exempt from state and county sales taxes, potentially saving over $100 million. Mayor Orcutt said the goal is to create enough cash flow from the stadium and adjacent development to ensure the city takes in more than it spends to host the facility.

  • Excavation work on the stadium site began on March 2, 2026.
  • A ceremonial groundbreaking is planned for late April 2026.
  • Construction on the stadium itself is expected to begin within months.

The players

Edward Orcutt

The mayor of Brook Park, Ohio, who is outlining the proposed financial arrangements for the new Browns stadium deal.

Haslam Sports Group

The parent company of the Cleveland Browns that is negotiating the stadium deal with the city of Brook Park.

Richard Salvatore

The president of the Brook Park City Council.

Jim Mencini

A member of the Brook Park City Council.

Chris Ronayne

The Cuyahoga County Executive who favors a ballot proposal to increase the county's sin tax to help cover maintenance costs for the new stadium and other sports facilities.

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What they’re saying

“We have been very creative in finding ways that the city of Brook Park can be successful, but the developers as well.”

— Edward Orcutt, Mayor of Brook Park

“When we get to the development agreement, that will be the meat and potatoes.”

— Edward Orcutt, Mayor of Brook Park

What’s next

The Brook Park City Council is expected to vote on the pre-development agreement as early as the April 21, 2026 meeting. Mayor Orcutt said more detailed development agreements and legislation to establish a special community authority to own the stadium will likely be introduced later this spring, with opportunities for public input.

The takeaway

This initial agreement demonstrates Brook Park's efforts to ensure the new Browns stadium is a financial asset rather than a liability for the city, with upfront payments, tax breaks, and a focus on creating enough revenue to cover the city's costs of hosting the facility. However, many key details around property tax incentives, income tax revenue sharing, and ongoing maintenance costs are still being negotiated.