COLUMBUS -- A Democratic Ohio state lawmaker wants to ban Ohio legislators from accepting free or discounted tickets to professional sporting events, pointing to ethical concerns raised by the state’s $600 million commitment to a new Cleveland Browns stadium.
State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan, a Parma Democrat, said the legislation would close a loophole that allows lobbyists and team officials to offer lawmakers perks to high-profile games. The bill would require state lawmakers to pay fair market value for any tickets to professional sporting events, regardless of who offers them.
“As legislators, we are often asked to make decisions involving public funding for sports stadiums, arenas and other subsidies to professional franchises,” Brennan said in a statement. “Accepting free or discounted tickets from those very teams—teams that benefit from taxpayer dollars—compromises our credibility and raises serious ethical concerns.”
Brennan pointed to the state budget bill signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last week that allocates $600 million for a new Cleveland Browns stadium in Brook Park as an example of why the legislation is needed.
“Whether it’s a football game, a baseball game, a hockey match or courtside seats at an NBA matchup—if it’s tied to a team we fund with taxpayer dollars, then it’s off limits,” Brennan said. “This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s about restoring trust and setting clear ethical standards.”
An announcement from Brennan’s office said the legislation is expected to be formally introduced in the coming weeks. Brennan is calling for bipartisan support to enhance transparency and accountability in state government.
Ohio law currently states that lawmakers must report gifts valued over $75. They must also report free admission to events if the cost of admission is $25 or more. The proposed legislation would create a blanket prohibition specifically for sports tickets, regardless of value.
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