I-Team: Cleveland noncommittal on legal action to keep Browns playing on lakefront

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has found city hall may not go to court to keep the Cleveland Browns .

On Thursday, the I-Team revealed the Browns will move forward with plans to build a domed stadium in Brook Park. Yet, a law could be used to try to force the team to stay and keep playing in Cleveland .

Still, the I-Team has found no guarantee the city of Cleveland will do all it can to try to stop the Browns from moving out of the city and into a dome. It’s heartbreaking to Rev. Jimmy Gates, a season ticket holder for 50 years.

“If there is a law on the books, if there is legislation, then I think we need to pursue it. Exhaust all options,” he said.

We wanted to talk to the law director at City Hall: What about a law passed after the Browns moved to Baltimore back in the 1990s that says if the team wants to move, the city or a private group should have a chance to buy the team.

The city issued a statement on behalf of Law Director Mark Griffin:

“We are evaluating all of our options. We will make a decision regarding litigation at the time and place of our choosing that best protects the interests of Cleveland and our residents.”

Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin responded by saying, “It’s not ‘if’ we expect the administration to do it, it’s when and how.”

Griffin believes if it takes going to court to keep the Browns in Cleveland, do it. Councilman Brian Kazy has also called for enforcing the law.

“We owe everybody a fight to the end. At the end of the day, I’m still open to having discussions with the team,” Griffin also said.

So what if the city does not act on the law to keep the Browns from moving? The council president hinted at other action that could be taken.

Former congressman and Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich said, “The city has some say here.”

Kucinich created the law restricting a team’s movement.

He also hinted at other possible action.

“I mean, this is wrong. It’s wrong for the city to just sit back and watch the Browns go wherever they’re gonna go,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said, “I call on the Haslam family to keep the Browns in Cleveland.”

Brown spoke out, but he also admitted there’s not much he can do to change things.

“I’m a citizen of Cleveland. I live in the city. I love Northeast Ohio. I encourage others to speak out on this. There’s nothing I can do as a senator in Washington,” he said.

The Browns have said they’ve negotiated in good faith. But moving to a dome could be good for the entire region.

Gates is still not sure about going to Browns games anywhere but on the lakefront.

“After 50 years, I’ve got to make a serious decision as to my allegiance to the team,” he said.

We will continue to watch this to see if the city does take legal action.

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