City of Cleveland enforce little-known law in desperate bid to stop Browns from moving away to $2.4bn new home The Cleveland Browns' proposed move to a new stadium in the city's suburbs could be blocked by the City of Cleveland itself - citing a law passed after the last time an NFL team left Ohio.
In the letter to team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb wrote, 'The Browns have not provided the city or others with the opportunity to purchase the team, as required by law.
Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb (L) has informed Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (R) of the city's intention to invoke the so-called 'Modell Law' to prevent the team from moving out.
The city sent formal notice to the Browns that it intends to enforce a statute known as the 'Modell Law' to halt development of the new stadium.
According to the law, a pro sports team in Ohio playing in a publicly supported stadium can't move without giving the city six months' advanced notice and a chance to buy the franchise.
