Report: City of Cleveland to Give $5.8 Million to Browns

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly received word that the city of Cleveland will forward the team $5.8 million for requested stadium renovations. Thomas Ott of The Plain Dealer reports that Cleveland’s city council has approved a plan that will help provide an advance to be used to fix specific areas of the 12-year-old open air venue. In a hearing, the Browns reportedly came armed with a detailed breakdown of money that has been spent on similar endeavors since the stadium’s erection back in 1999: $74 million contributed to the construction; $50 million paid for items such as escalators, a restaurant and team shop; $30 million spent on cleaning and other everyday maintenance; $2.9 million donated to community programs and sports facilities. The city of Cleveland confirmed the need for renovations, but in their agreement of providing the advance, will rid the city of such obligations for the next seven years. At this point, the city would have to dip into sin tax fundin...