Brook Park Council Approves First Part of Browns Stadium Deal

City to receive $24.8 million upfront payment from Haslam Sports Group

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:08pm

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio still life of a minimalist, geometric model of a modern football stadium made of brushed metal and glass, floating on a clean white background and dramatically lit from the side to highlight the sleek, premium materials.A conceptual rendering of the premium materials and architectural design that will define the Cleveland Browns' new $2.6 billion indoor stadium in Brook Park.Cleveland Today

The Brook Park City Council has approved the first part of a deal with the Cleveland Browns for a new $2.6 billion indoor stadium. The agreement includes a $24.8 million upfront payment from the Browns' parent company, Haslam Sports Group, as well as waivers for building permit fees and county/state sales taxes that could save over $100 million on construction costs. The final development agreement and creation of a public authority to own the stadium are still to be approved in upcoming legislation.

Why it matters

This deal represents a significant investment by the Browns in the local community and lays the groundwork for the construction of a new state-of-the-art stadium. It also highlights the complex negotiations and agreements required between professional sports teams and municipalities when building major new facilities.

The details

The pre-development agreement approved by the Brook Park City Council on Tuesday includes a $24.8 million upfront payment from the Browns' parent company, Haslam Sports Group. The agreement also waives building permit fees, which the mayor said would not have amounted to $24.8 million due to state laws limiting city charges. Additionally, the deal includes language to waive county and state sales taxes on the $2.6 billion stadium project, which could save over $100 million. The final development agreement and creation of a public authority to own the stadium are still to be approved in upcoming legislation.

  • The Brook Park City Council approved the first part of the stadium deal on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • Excavation work on the $2.6 billion stadium 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 Browns aim to open the new facility ahead of the 2029 NFL season.

The players

Edward Orcutt

The mayor of Brook Park, Ohio.

Thomas Dufour

A member of the Brook Park City Council.

Haslam Sports Group

The parent company of the Cleveland Browns.

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What they’re saying

“It will be built by union labor.”

— Edward Orcutt, Mayor of Brook Park

“Based on a general rule of thumb that roughly 50% of a project's costs are often taxable materials, that would mean a savings of just over $100 million on the $2.6 billion stadium.”

— Edward Orcutt, Mayor of Brook Park

What’s next

The Brook Park City Council is expected to hold a final vote on the stadium deal next Tuesday. Later this spring or early summer, additional legislation will involve a final development agreement and the creation of a community authority to own the stadium and lease it back to the team.

The takeaway

This initial stadium deal represents a significant investment by the Cleveland Browns in the local Brook Park community, with the team providing an upfront $24.8 million payment and agreeing to waive various construction-related fees and taxes. While more negotiations are still to come, this agreement lays the groundwork for the construction of a new state-of-the-art NFL stadium that will bring economic activity and civic pride to the region.