The Cleveland Browns have abandoned diplomacy in their stadium standoff with Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, sending what Today in Ohio podcast hosts described as a “pointed letter” that leaves no doubt about the team’s intentions to build their new stadium in Brook Park.
“They said something like this: These are the types of inexplicable decisions that keep the Greater Cleveland region from thriving, while other regions Like Columbus and Cincinnati continue to grow and evolve,” Laura Johnston said on the podcast.
The letter represents a significant escalation in the public battle over the Browns’ future home. Ronayne has consistently opposed the team’s Brook Park plans while advocating for renovation of the existing downtown lakefront stadium—a position the Browns have repeatedly rejected.
“The letter… has 10 bullet points, 10 takeaways on why Chris Ronayne is wrong,” Johnston said, characterizing it as a comprehensive takedown of the county executive’s position.
Chris Quinn suggested the letter’s purpose was to eliminate any remaining doubt about the team’s plans, given that Ronayne has been publicly working against them: “I think it’s because he’s been talking to enough people and pretending he has traction. And I think they (The Browns) just want everybody to be clear. They have settled on Brook Park. That’s their plan. That’s what they’re going to do.”
The crux of the stadium dispute centers on state funding. The Browns are asking the state to borrow $600 million – to be paid back with project revenue -- to help finance their $2.4 billion covered stadium in Brook Park. Quinn explained that once this financing is secured, the team can proceed “with or without the county’s help.”
The podcast discussion revealed the financial implications of cooperation versus conflict. According to Quinn, if the county works with the Browns, the team could secure more favorable financing, resulting in extra money for investment in the Cleveland Lakefront. Without county help, the team faces higher interest rates that will eat up that extra cash.
The Browns’ letter emphasized that their Brook Park plan “relies on no money from the city of Cleveland” and characterized renovating the existing stadium as merely “a short term fix.”
Johnston questioned the strategic purpose of such a public rebuke: “I’m not sure what the Browns hope to achieve with this letter, specifically this very open letter. I mean, their position has been this all along. are you just trying to embarrass him now?”
Quinn suggested the letter serves as a reality check not just for Ronayne but for anyone still harboring hopes that the team might remain on the lakefront:
Listen to the discussion here.
Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.
Listen to full “Today in Ohio” episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.