So much for Cleveland Browns fans who enjoy "tuning up" for a game in the legendary Muni Lot near the team's lakefront home.
Well, Huntington Bank Field used to be the Browns' home on Lake Erie. Before it was Huntington Bank Field, it was known as FirstEnergy Stadium. Soon, that spot along the shore will be something else entirely.
Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam met with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on Wednesday and told him they intend to move the team to a yet-to-be constructed dome in Brook Park, 12 miles south of where they play now. The Haslams' bought property in the Cleveland suburb earlier this year.
The city of Cleveland had proposed a $1.1 billion plan to renovate the current stadium, but the Haslams decided to relocate the Browns to a $2.4 billion dome. Funding for the proposed dome is unsettled. The Haslams want a public-private partnership and have proposed bonds to cover the public portion.
The Browns' owners announced the relocation with the team at a disappointing 1-5 and reeling four consecutive defeats.
"We understand this is a complex process with more questions still to be answered, and we will continue to communicate openly as our process evolves," the Haslams said in a statement. "We recognize our season on the field has not had the start we all hoped for and are working hard to improve each week to make our fans proud.
"At the same time, it is critical that we remain committed to the best long-term, sustainable solution for our stadium and to providing the world-class dome experience our fans deserve. We are confident that the Brook Park project will significantly benefit the Northeast Ohio region for generations to come."
The Browns host the Cincinnati Bengals, one of their AFC North rivals, on Sunday. The atmosphere figured to be less-than-celebratory after the team's awful start to the season and increasing criticism of $240 million quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is among the lowest-rated passers in the NFL through six games.
Now, with the Haslams serving notice to the city of their intent to leave Cleveland for Brook Park, another layer of disappointment has been added to the mix.
We think Cuyahoga County officials shouldn't help the Haslems by providing any public funds for their vanity dome project.
The only consistent aspect of the Haslams' ownership of the Browns has been an almost comical and non-stop run of drama and ineptitude.
Remember, this is a team that chased Watson and made him reach almost beyond comprehension despite the fact he sat out the 2021 season rather than play for the Houston Texans and also was an accused -- but never criminally charged -- sexual predator with two dozen allegations against him.
The Haslam-owned Browns have been to the playoffs once -- in 2020 -- since Jimmy and Dee bought the team. And almost immediately after, set about trying to find "an adult" to be the QB. Instead, they traded three first-round picks for Watson and guaranteed $240 million.
Meanwhile, their old QB -- Baker Mayfield -- is having an MVP-caliber season and leads the NFL in touchdown passes.
Let the Haslams move the Browns. Hey, it won't be the first time the team has changed ZIP codes. At least this move is only 12 miles away and not to Baltimore.
But don't help Jimmy and Dee pay for that dome. Let them finance it themselves.