Let’s rewind 3 decades. It was the year 1995. Then-Browns owner, Art Modell, shocked the entire city of Cleveland when he decided to take the franchise to Baltimore. But then-State Sen. Dennis Kucinich came up with a control plan to stop him. That move was to let him move on with his players. However, the city decided to keep the logo, symbol, and other intellectual property. It was such a historic move that the city made it a law in 1996. In a move to make it a history lesson, they named it the Art Modell Law.
3 decades later, Joe Burrow and Bengals are at the receiving end. Mike Brown must be studying the law of the land. The law applies to all the sports teams in Ohio. When the Browns decided to move on from the Huntington Field to Brook Park last year, a lawsuit was filed. The city requested the NFL franchise to either take permission from the administration or give them 6 months to buy the franchise. All these moves have an obvious logic. They don’t want to ruin their sports legacy.
While the Bengals are based in the Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, they are struggling to reach an agreement with the city and Hamilton Country. Joe Burrow & co. has a deadline till June 30 to sign a lease for 2-year extension. If they don’t, the lease expires next year before the 2026 season. What’s the roadblock?
The Bengals proposed a $120 million renovation plan for the Stadium. Taxpayers will pay 90% of the money. But the city was angry at this plan as the NFL team pays only $158k in yearly rent. If the sides don’t agree on a mutual plan, things might move ahead per the major Cleveland law. The Browns are contesting the lawsuit, as one might expect. It would benefit their divisional rival.
The situation changed when the owner’s daughter threatened to leave the city. That could be the final push.
Joe Burrow’s executive VP is serious about leaving Ohio
Mike Brown’s daughter, Katie Blackburn, Executive vice president, sent shockwaves in Hamilton County when she said, “We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn’t pick the option up.” Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer caught up with the owner’s daughter at the NFL Annual Meeting.
While Joe Burrow and other players are watching the developments from the sidelines, Blackburn even had more insights. She also showed her love for the current location as she added, “We love where we are. I’m very big proponent of being in the downtown. I think that’s a great thing for the city.”
While these statements look sweet and intriguing, the Bengals have a much longer path. Either they agree or don’t. Many franchises are battling such issues. The Chiefs are also looking into the possibility of moving out of Arrowhead Stadium. The more you know, right?
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