COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOIO)—Ohio Govenor Mike DeWine’s press secretary Dan Tierney confirmed to 19 News, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Gov. Mike DeWine, and other state leaders on Tuesday to discuss the club’s attempt to get funding for a new domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New Orleans, ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photo/Matt York)(Matt York | AP)
In April, the Ohio House of Representatives voted and passed Ohio’s 2026-27 biennial budget, which includes a plan to get the Cleveland Browns $600 million in state funding for the stadium.
The Browns agreed to put $38.5 million into an escrow account, which could help the state pay back the $600 million in loans if the increase in the tax base from the super project falls short.
The amendment will now require $50 million into escrow, which in 25 years or the length of the loan, would generate $250 million in the escrow account.
The budget is now in the hands of the Ohio State Senate.
The state has until June 30 to pass a budget and get it on DeWine’s desk.
The governor has the right to veto the budget and send it back.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on Tuesday in meeting with Gov. Mike DeWine and other state leaders in the team’s lobbying effort to secure money for a new Browns stadium in Brook Park.
“All of the conversations have been incredibly positive. Tremendous leadership by the governor and leadership by (the General) Assembly,” Goodell told cleveland.com during a telephone interview between meetings in Columbus.
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