I-Team: Browns' lawsuit against CLE could drag out

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CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has found growing indications a court battle could drag out over a lawsuit filed by the Cleveland Browns against the city of Cleveland.

We took a closer look at what’s happening now with the Browns’ legal fight to be able to move to a dome in Brook Park.

This week, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office asked the court for the OK to get involved.

The city has three more weeks to file a response to the Browns’ lawsuit.

The Browns filed suit in federal court to try to throw out the so-called Art Modell Law, a state law restricting sports teams from moving.

On Thursday, the Attorney General filed a motion asking the federal court for permission to help the city defend that law.

While the city has not responded yet in court, the city also has not made any public comment about the lawsuit.

Former mayor Dennis Kucinich wrote the law. When we recently sat down with him, we asked a question at the heart of this case.

Since this is America, shouldn’t the Browns be able to go wherever the team wants to go?

“Yeah, well, that’s right — except for one thing. The law says ‘if it’s supported by taxes.’ There’s a difference here,” Kucinich said. “If you’re not taking taxpayer dollars, do what you want.”

Tax dollars built the stadium the Browns have used.

The Browns have argued that law does not apply to an NFL franchise, and that they’d move at the end of their lease.

But now there’s no telling how long the legal fight will take to play out.

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Ed Gallek

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