In a stunning turn of events, it seems that the Cleveland Browns may be bidding farewell to their namesake city after a quarter-century. The Browns are making plans to move to the suburb of Brook Park, Ohio, as announced by Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. The team is set to construct a state-of-the-art domed stadium in the suburb, which is home to approximately 18,000 residents and is located just under 14 miles from Cleveland.
“The Haslams’ choice to move the team away is frustrating, and profoundly disheartening,” Mayor Bibb expressed to reporters via WJW-TV. “In the past two years, this administration made relentless efforts to craft solutions that advance both HSG’s objectives and long-term interest of our residents and the broader community.”
The Browns’ current home, Huntington Bank Field, has been their base of operations since 1999. This stadium was built on the site of the historic Cleveland Stadium, which had been the beloved home of both the Browns and the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland Stadium, dating back to 1931, was unfortunately demolished in 1996 to make way for the newer facility.
The new suburban stadium, which is rumored to be named Huntington Bank Field as well, is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 season. This move will mark a significant shift in the team’s history and has sparked mixed reactions from fans and residents alike. Only time will tell how this relocation will impact the Browns and the city of Cleveland as a whole.
