COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Some former big-name athletes who once called Cleveland home might have unclaimed cash that’s about to unknowingly help build the new Cleveland Browns stadium.
First things first. There’s no way to prove these are the actual players. But at the very least, they share the names. And honestly, the mental image of Johnny Manziel accidentally paying for new stadium bathrooms is too good to pass up.
In case you missed it, Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s state budget on July 1, and tucked inside was a new law that takes unclaimed funds and funnels them straight into the Browns’ shiny new home. That’s right, if you’ve got forgotten money floating around, it’s basically being turned into end-zone paint and overpriced stadium nachos.
Anyone can hop on the unclaimed funds site, type in their name (or someone else’s, no judgment), and see if they’ve got cash waiting to be claimed. You don’t get an exact number, just vague estimates like “over $100” or “$10 to $50.” But hey, money is money, and apparently, Cleveland may have a stash of celebrity pocket change waiting to be used.
The King of Cleveland, LeBron James
Lebron's name pops up with multiple companies. The leader is 21st Century Fox, where he has not one, not two, not three, but four entries of "over $100."
The mid-range spenders include Walt Disney, T-Mobile and Apple who all slide into the $50-$100 range. Weirdly, one of the payments from Apple has the address listed as 123 Fake Street in Euclid. Sounds like a shared Apple TV+ account to watch Ted Lasso or something.
Then we get to the pocket change, multiple little payments from Founders Insurance Company, GameStop, PayPal, and T-Mobile, all under $50. Which begs the question: LeBron, are you forgetting to cash your GameStop store credits too?
Baker Mayfield, Our One-Time Hero
Next up, Baker Mayfield, the guy who dragged the Browns to the playoffs for the first time in forever (and we’re still emotional about it).
Baker’s got three payments in the $10 to $100 range, coming from Best Buy, PayPal, and American Family Mutual Insurance Company. Not as flashy as LeBron’s pile, but it’s still helping pay for the Browns’ future home turf.
Johnny “Money” Manziel
And then, because the football gods love irony, there’s Johnny "Money" Manziel. Johnny has a $50-$100 payment from ADT LLC, and the NFL Players Association owes him over $100. It's poetic, right? Johnny Football, finally giving back to Cleveland. Good pick, homeless guy who drafted him.
It’s kind of hilarious that the same guys who left Cleveland may be helping build the Browns’ next chapter. Baker, you’re cool, you still get a pass. The Browns did you dirty, enjoy that Florida sunshine and shotgunning beers with the fans at golf tournaments.
Oh, and if you don’t claim your own unclaimed cash? Congrats, you’re a silent partner in the Browns’ new stadium, too.