Part 5/8:
To counteract the Browns' intentions, Cleveland is invoking the "Modell Law," a piece of legislation passed in 1996 in response to the team's earlier relocation. The law stipulates that any professional team using a tax-supported facility cannot move without the consent of the city or offering the city a six-month notice to allow local buyers the chance to purchase the franchise.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bib has sent a letter to team owners signaling the city’s intent to utilize this law to block the move to Brook Park. The city has invested over $350 million into the current stadium's construction, maintenance, and repairs over the last two decades, further fueling tensions in negotiations.