Cleveland spent about $1.3 million of taxpayer dollars on outside legal counsel related to lawsuits against the Haslam Sports Group, the business name for Browns ownership, including principal owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, to keep the team downtown.
The $100 million settlement agreement ultimately dropped all lawsuits from both sides related to the team’s plans to move out of the city-owned stadium to Brook Park. However, city law director Mark Griffin said some ongoing costs remain related to another lawsuit filed by former Mayor Dennis Kucinich on behalf of taxpayers.
Griffin said at a Wednesday budget hearing that he does not believe that lawsuit has legal standing.
The city employs several lawyers but typically budgets about $4 million annually for outside legal counsel, which they use in cases of conflicts of interest or for specialized areas of law.
In 2025, the city spent $6.5 million on outside legal counsel. Griffin attributed that overage to a variety of factors, which included the Browns suits and collective bargaining agreements.
The exit deal included an upfront $25 million payment from the Haslams. Additional funds will be paid out in the decade following the lease termination with the city toward lakefront development and neighborhood investment projects.
“I’m proud to deliver this historic deal to the residents of the City of Cleveland,” Mayor Justin Bibb said in October. “My administration, with the Haslams’ support, will finally unlock the full potential of our lakefront, benefiting all residents and attracting new investment to the city.”
Cleveland City Council members questioned the deal and their lack of involvement but ultimately approved the terms in December.
The deal was approved by a 13-2 vote with two members absent. Mike Polensek and Brian Kazy voted against the measure. Some council members said they were “blindsided” by Bibb’s October press conference announcing the settlement without consulting the legislative body.
Despite a pending court case challenging state money for the project, Jimmy Haslam indicated construction at the new site will start the first week of March.
The lease, which expires after the 2028 season, includes two one-year options to renew. But after that, in 2031, city officials said the team needs to leave, even if the multi-billion stadium complex in Brook Park is not complete.