CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns' push to move out of the city and play in a proposed domed stadium has encountered a new road block.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb sent a letter to owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, saying the city intends to invoke the “Modell Law” to prevent them from leaving the Browns' current lakefront stadium. The lease expires in 2028.
Bibb said he wants a response from the Browns by Jan. 9 and to comply or the city will “take appropriate legal action,” the letter states.
The Modell Law was passed in 1996 after former Browns owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore. It states that no owner of a professional sports team in Ohio playing in a tax-supported stadium can go elsewhere without an agreement with the city in which it plays or unless that city is given six months' advance notice with an opportunity to buy the team.
The team previously filed a federal lawsuit in hopes of getting “clarity” on the law. That case is pending.
In response to Bibb's letter, the Browns said “the statute and the city's actions create uncertainty and do not serve the interest of Greater Cleveland.”
The city's threat to use the Modell law is just the latest maneuver in what has become an ugly back-and-forth battle with the Browns.
The Haslams, who have owned the team since 2012, want to build a $2.4 billion domed stadium and surrounding entertainment complex in Brook Park, about 10 miles south of Cleveland. The team wants to split the cost of the stadium with the city and county in a private/public partnership.
The city has proposed paying for half of renovation costs at the current 65,000-seat stadium, which opened in 1999 when the NFL awarded Cleveland an expansion franchise.
The Haslams have argued that repairing the team's stadium don't solve bigger issues with parking and overall access. They believe a dome would spur wider regional growth with the ability to attract and host major sporting events and concerts.
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FILE - Cleveland Browns Stadium during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson scored his career-best 33rd goal of the season and the Washington Capitals wrapped up the top spot in the Eastern Conference by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in a shootout Thursday night.
Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the shootout winner after the Capitals rallied from a 2-0 deficit, then blew a 4-2 lead with Carolina's Jordan Martinook and Seth Jarvis scoring in the third period to tie it. That came after Washington's scoring spree in the second, with Dylan Strome, Nic Dowd and Tom Wilson all putting goals past Frederik Andersen.
Alex Ovechkin assisted on Strome's goal, his 26th of the season, after getting being in a pregame ceremony for scoring his 895th career goal to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL record on Sunday at the New York Islanders.
Dubois also scored in regulation, while Charlie Lindgren made 31 saves and stayed in the game after a nasty collision seven minutes in on Carolina’s second goal.
The Hurricanes, who are locked into second place in the Metropolitan Division and a first-round matchup against New Jersey, got to overtime but lost their fourth in a row. Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake also scored, and Andersen allowed four goals on 28 shots in regulation.
Brandon Duhaime and Jalen Chatfield dropped the gloves early to settle a score from the teams’ game last week. The Capitals were unhappy with Chatfield’s takedown of Connor McMichael at the end of their fight.
Hurricanes: Goaltending may be an issue, and coach Rod Brind’Amour may need to consider Pyotr Kochetkov over Andersen in the playoffs.
Capitals: After moving past Ovechkin getting the record, this was more the kind of hockey they want to be playing this late in the regular season.
Lindgren did not allow a goal in the shootout.
Ovechkin has 23 points in his past 19 games dating to March 1.
Hurricanes host the New York Rangers on Saturday, just after the Capitals play at Columbus.
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Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20) tries to get the puck past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) and Mark Jankowski (77) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to the crowd as he takes part in a pre-game ceremony to honor him for scoring 895 career NHL goals before an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren reaches for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) stands next to one of his gifts as he takes part in a pre-game ceremony to honor him for scoring 895 career NHL goals before an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield, right, fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals center Nic Dowd (26) celebrates after his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois, center, celebrates his goal with left wing Andrew Mangiapane (88) next to Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov (7) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
