Cleveland Sports Stadiums Avoid Property Taxes Since 1992

City of Cleveland has exempted major league teams from paying property taxes on their facilities for over 30 years.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:23pm

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A letter to the editor reveals that the city of Cleveland has not collected any property taxes on the city's major league sports stadiums since 1992, when then-Mayor Michael White and then-County Commissioner Tim Hagan successfully petitioned the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature to exempt the facilities from property taxes permanently. This has resulted in the city forfeiting millions in potential tax revenue, the majority of which would have gone to the city's underfunded public school system.

Why it matters

The lack of property tax payments from Cleveland's professional sports teams highlights the preferential treatment and financial concessions that city and county officials have historically granted to billionaire team owners, even as the city's public services and infrastructure have struggled with chronic underfunding.

The details

According to the letter, the 2025 county document shows the football stadium alone was exempted from $425,883 in property taxes that year. Multiplying that figure by the 33 years since the exemption was granted suggests the total property tax revenue lost could be in the tens of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the city charges the Cleveland Browns only $250,000 in annual rent, less than the property taxes would have been.

  • The property tax exemption for Cleveland's sports stadiums was granted in 1992 by the Republican-controlled Ohio legislature.
  • The 2025 county document shows the football stadium was exempted from $425,883 in property taxes that year.

The players

Michael White

Former mayor of Cleveland who petitioned for the property tax exemption in 1992.

Tim Hagan

Former Cuyahoga County Commissioner who petitioned for the property tax exemption in 1992 alongside Mayor White.

Cleveland Browns

The NFL team that plays in the city-owned football stadium, paying only $250,000 in annual rent, less than the property taxes would have been.

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What they’re saying

“To suggest how much revenue might be involved over 33 years, the 2025 county document for the football stadium shows a year's exemption of $425,883. That's one year. Multiply by 33 years to get an idea of the overall cost.”

— Roldo Bartimole, Cleveland resident (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The city and county may face increasing pressure from residents and the school district to re-evaluate the property tax exemptions granted to the sports teams, especially as the facilities continue to generate significant revenue for the franchise owners.

The takeaway

This case highlights the longstanding practice of local governments providing substantial financial subsidies and concessions to professional sports teams, often at the expense of funding for critical public services like education. It raises questions about the appropriate balance between supporting local sports franchises and ensuring equitable distribution of tax revenues to benefit the broader community.