Last Sunday the executive of Cuyahoga County Chris Ronayne and other county officials came out publicly to oppose the new dome stadium in Brookpark Ohio.  Their reasoning for opposing the plan is that it doesn’t make fiscal sense. They also said that they do not want to put tax dollars from other county resources into the stadium. And they want to maintain the tradition of the Browns playing in downtown Cleveland. Unfortunately, they are could not be more wrong on this issue.

Shortly after Cuyahoga County officials made their statement, Cleveland Browns ownership sent a response. They stated that no decision has been made yet. And that this is a complex problem that needs a complex solution. This decision cannot be rushed. The construction of the stadium in 1999 was rushed and is poorly built. The Haslam family will continue to work with state, county, and city officials for a mutually beneficial solution for everyone. A key detail is missing in this debate.

The open letter to Cleveland Browns fans was clear about the financing of the new stadium. It said that there is approximately $2.4 billion dollars in private investment in the dome stadium and complex. The remaining $1.2 billion dollars will come from a usage tax on the complex itself and not from current taxpayer resources. In other words, the local politicians are not being genuine with this issue.

For decades the waterfront development in downtown Cleveland has been given only lip service by city officials. This is no different.  Since 2012 when the Haslam family purchased the Cleveland Browns they have invested in the team and the current stadium. They are outspending the rest of the NFL on the roster by $50 million dollars in guaranteed money this season. They have a plan for a new dome stadium complex with 2/3 of it being privately funded by investors. The training complex in Berea was remodeled with a new weight training room. And more renovations at the team headquarters are in the mix. Criticism of any NFL owner is warranted. But to say that the Haslam’s don’t spend money is inaccurate. They show by their actions that they want to win, and they want the city of Cleveland to win. Which is why I give them the benefit of the doubt.