Total Pro Sports
Mayor Justin Bibb had a blunt message about the Cleveland Browns’ new stadium plans that will leave some fans concerned.
The Browns have been playing at Huntington Bank Field (previously named as Cleveland Browns Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium) since they were reactivated as an NFL franchise in 1999. The club is working on a proposed plan for a new domed $2.4 billion stadium in Brook Park
Speaking to the FOX 8 I-Team, however, Justin Bibb stated that the new stadium is not a top priority at this time.
“There are more important priorities than the Cleveland Browns,” Bibb told the I-Team. “We gotta move on. If they go to Brook Park, God bless them, good luck.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has expressed several concerns about the proposed stadium, including the idea of funding it with $600 million in state bonds. Last week, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Ohio state officials and offered his support for the new stadium.
The 38-year-old Justin Bibb has served as the Mayor of Cleveland since January 2022, having won the 2021 election over Kevin Kelley by a significant margin (62.86 percent to 37.14 percent). Bibb succeeded Frank G. Jackson, who decided not to seek another term after serving from 2006 to 2022.
After causing some nerves with his comments, Mayor Justin Bibb took to X/Twitter on Wednesday to emphasize that his goal is to keep the Browns in downtown Cleveland.
Bibb noted that he’s leading a giant city, not a sports franchise, and that he’ll protect Cleveland taxpayers and do his best to make sure the Browns don’t move out of the downtown area.
Mayor Bibb reinforces his commitment to protecting Cleveland taxpayers. pic.twitter.com/VXa4BC524m
— Office of Mayor Bibb (@CLEMayorsOffice) May 21, 2025
