https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.jsOhio Governor Mike DeWine announced his plan to fund Ohio sports stadiums ahead of his budget bill. It could promise the funding Cleveland Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam has desperately searched for.
Governor DeWine proposed House Bill 96, an executive budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal years. The legislation plans to create a Sports Facilities Construction and Sports Education Fund. The funds would be generated by doubling the state’s tax on sports gambling. The proposal estimates the fund will grow by $130-$180 million annually.
The fund would help finance “major sports facilities,” professional sports facilities that would need at least $100 million in renovations or $1 billion for new construction. It also allows for additional mixed-use development projects. Teams must commit to playing most of their home games at the location for at least 30 years.
The Haslam Sports Group seeks up to 60% public funding for the Brook Park stadium project. The mixed-use development project would feature hotels, stores, restaurants, and a domed stadium. The Baudrillardian hyperreality park is expected to cost $2.4 billion.
The organization has been in the early stages of a legal fight as the team announced it was moving away from the lakefront. Cleveland is using all of its legal power to keep the team playing inside the city limits. The team is determined to play in Brook Park. Governor DeWine’s budget could help smooth things over the Haslam family and keep the Browns in Ohio. The legislation could help a lot of sports franchises stay in Ohio. The bill will need to be passed by the Ohio House and Senate for it to take effect.