Cleveland sues NFL’s Browns to prevent move to new stadium in suburbs
The legal battle between the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and the city they call home has taken another turn. This time, it’s the city suing the team over their proposed move to a new stadium in the suburbs.
In a statement on the city’s website, officials say they are invoking the “Modell Law” to “ensure the Cleveland Browns continue to play downtown.”
The state law, named after late owner Art Modell, who moved the team to Baltimore in 1996, says that any team using a taxpayer-funded facility must either get city approval for relocation or provide a fair opportunity for others to buy the team.
The statement reads in part, “the statute ensures that team owners cannot ‘bilk the City and its taxpayers for millions, only to unilaterally abandon what the City provided to them.’”
In October, the Browns filed a lawsuit to get clarification on the law. At the time, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said, “The Haslem Sports Group may want a roof over their heads, but it is my responsibility as the mayor of this great city to ensure Cleveland residents have a roof over theirs.“
That same month, Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslem announced plans to move into a $2.4 billion domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio. The new stadium would be the center of a sports and entertainment complex built some 12 miles south of Cleveland. The Browns would relocate when their lease with the city’s downtown stadium expires in 2028. The Haslems argue, in part, that the “Modell Law” doesn’t apply to them because they’re staying in the same county.
The city responded by offering a $1.2 billion proposal to renovate the 25-year-old Huntington Bank Field. However, the Haslems rejected the offer. The owners said that without a dome, their “operational issues” would not be solved. They say they would be unable to host large-scale indoor events year-round. The NFL has backed the Haslems’ proposed stadium.
The “Modell Law” was used in 2019 to block an attempted move by Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. The Browns have played on the shores of Lake Erie since their inception in 1946.
After 20 seasons, Aaron Rodgers concedes last game could be Jan. 5
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played 20 seasons in the NFL. He doesn’t yet know if he’ll play a 21st.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, during his weekly media session, the four-time league most valuable player acknowledged the matchup on Sunday, Jan. 5, with the Miami Dolphins could be his final game.
“This game has given me a lot. I’ve given a lot back to it, and I’m thankful for it. I won’t be thinking about that come game day. I’ll just be enjoying this. I’m just trying to stay in the moment, but of course it’s been a long career. I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to be a part of, what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Rodgers said.
The Jets haven’t accomplished very much this season. It hasn’t always gone the 41-year-old’s way during his two-year stretch in New York. In 2023 he suffered an Achilles injury on just the fourth snap of the first game. This season he has battled a host of different ailments trying to keep the season afloat.
Considering team ownership is looking for a new head coach and new general manager, the future Hall of Famer knows the Jets may want to just move on.
“I just won’t resign to the reality of the situation, I think there’s going to be change here, and if I’m a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows that I have nothing but gratitude for my time here,” Rodgers said. “It’s been a great experience all around, and again, I’m disappointed about the performance of both myself and as a team, but really thankful for the opportunity.”
Rodgers wants to take some time to rest his body and his mind. He also admitted, after two seasons of rehab for his injuries, that he doesn’t know if he wants to go through the grind of getting ready to play another season. He is under contract for one more year with the Jets at a salary cap hit of $23.5 million, but expects the team to decide on his future before free agency begins in mid-March.
He joked about what he’d do in the meantime, referring to his much talked about 2023 summer plans.
“Probably darkness again. No, I think I’m done with that, won’t be doing any darkness retreats this offseason,” Rodgers joked.
There is another subject on his mind. Rodgers is just one touchdown away from 500 in his career. He’ll aim for that record Sunday in his home stadium, but if it doesn’t happen, he seems to be at peace.
“I’d be fine sleeping 20 years from now if I finished on 499, but 500 definitely looks better on paper,” he said.
Washington Commanders stadium talks may come down to Maryland-DC deal
The Washington Commanders are looking to build a new stadium, exploring trade negotiations. Maryland senators offered a deal that would give Washington the RFK Stadium for one of its Air National Guard squadrons.
The team is looking for a new venue to replace its aging stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Washington has been trying to get the football team back into the district for years. It has centered most offers around redeveloping the site of the team’s former home, RFK Stadium.
The venue closed in 2019 and has been gradually deconstructed. Although demolition isn’t complete, the building is in disrepair, and the surrounding area remains largely vacant.
But the district doesn’t own the stadium or land. The government does.
Maryland Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D, and Ben Cardin, D, offered Washington and the Commanders a trade, The Washington Post reported
The report said the senators would allow the district to control the RFK Stadium site. However, they requested Washington hand over two Air National Guard squadrons to Maryland, specifically the one with F-16 fighter jets.
The senators also requested the Commanders release a statement, fulfilling two requirements. The team must announce where they want the new stadium and commit to redeveloping the Maryland stadium site.
Maryland wants a National Guard flying mission because the Air Force plans to convert the state into a ground-based mission next year.
Washington leaders remained wary.
“D.C. rightly deserves to benefit from the land where RFK Stadium sits falling into disrepair and the exchange for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over the campus to D.C. should not come at the expense of the DCNG’s aviation resources,” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said in a statement.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Commanders owner Josh Harris met with the senators earlier this week, according to the report. Congress is expected to decide in the next few weeks whether to include the stadium’s status in the NDAA bill.
While getting the RFK Stadium land would give Washington a leg up in stadium talks, it’s not a guarantee. The district and the Commanders would still need to negotiate a deal before construction starts on a new stadium.
NFL issues security alert after homes of Mahomes, Kelce burglarized
The NFL has issued a warning for players Thursday, Nov. 21, after thieves burglarized the homes of two of its biggest stars in the league. Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes broken into within days of each other last month in the Kansas City metro area.
“Obviously it’s frustrating,” Mahomes said during a press conference on Nov. 13. “It’s disappointing. But I can’t get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing. But obviously it’s something you don’t want to happen to, really, anybody, but obviously, yourself.”
The NFL put out a security alert Thursday saying the criminals target players’ homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted.
And it’s not just NFL players. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. also became a victim when his home was burglarized while he attended a Vikings game.
“It’s legit,” said one source familiar with the situation told NFL.com. “It’s a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they’ve focused on NBA and NFL players, and it’s all over the country.”
NFL officials recommended players avoid updating social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day and refrain from posting expensive items on their accounts.
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks until the presidential election, the candidates are blitzing battleground states and the airwaves with town halls. And in a possible blow to small businesses hoping to rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, one federal agency is running out of money. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
Harris, Trump field questions during town halls as Election Day nears
With less than three weeks to go until Election Day, the candidates fielded questions on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in two different town hall settings.
Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a town hall in Detroit hosted by radio personality Charlamagne tha God as she looks to reach Black voters. During the town hall, the vice president said she believes slavery reparations should be studied.
Harris said while she is running for “president for everyone” she is “clear-eyed about the history and the disparities that exist for specific communities.”
The vice president also urged Black Americans not to sit out on Election Day.
Vice President Harris: Ask Donald Trump what his plan is for Black America. I'll tell you what it is. Project 2025 wants to implement stop-and-frisk. It wants to make it more difficult for workers to receive overtime pay. He wants to terminate the Constitution, which includes… pic.twitter.com/ZAQNgRkRyq
“The solutions that we all want are not going to happen in totality because of one election but here’s the thing: the things that we want and are prepared to fight for won’t happen if we’re not active and if we don’t participate,” she said. “We cannot allow circumstances to take us out the game because then basically what we’re saying is all those people who are obstructionist, who are standing in the way of change, they’re winning because they are convincing people that it can’t be done so take yourself out, don’t participate. Look at that circle, look at that vicious circle, then so let’s not fall for it.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Georgia moderated by host Harris Faulkner.
The town hall had an all-female audience, with the women posing questions to Trump on issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion. According to reports of the event, which will air later Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Fox News, Trump said some states are “too tough” when it comes to restrictions on abortion and those laws “are going to be redone.”
“The African American community and the Hispanic community are being devastated with the jobs, the numbers are down 6, 7, 8, 9%. They are going to work, and they’re saying, ‘I’m sorry, we’re not going to take you any more.’ People that have worked there and worked there well for years are now being told that they no longer have a job because they have illegal immigrants coming in and taking their job,” Trump said. “Any African American or Hispanic, and you know how well I’m doing there, that votes for Kamala, you got to have your head examined, because they are really screwing you.”
Early voting begins in Georgia with record turnout
Early voting has begun in the battleground state of Georgia and it’s already seeing a record turnout. Voting for the Nov. 5 presidential election started Tuesday and by the late afternoon, at least 252,000 voters had already cast ballots at early voting sites.
That’s nearly double the 136,000 who voted on the first day of early voting in the 2020 election, according to a top Georgia election official.
Also Tuesday, a judge blocked a new rule requiring Georgia Election Day ballots to be counted by hand after the close of voting. That ruling came just a day after the same judge ruled county election officials must certify election results by the deadline set in law.
Small Business Administration runs out of disaster relief funding
The Small Business administration has run out of funding for its disaster assistance loans right after the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That means much-needed financial assistance will be delayed for people applying for help right now.
After a disaster, the SBA provides loans to businesses and people who need them. The organization had warned it expected to run out of money by the end of the month.
Congress can approve more funding, but lawmakers are not set to reconvene until Nov. 12. The SBA administrator said in the meantime, people that need them should keep applying for the loans.
HURRICANE #MILTON SURVIVORS: Business owners and residents in declared disaster areas can now apply for SBA assistance.
Israel strikes Beirut despite U.S. opposition; vows to avoid nuclear sites in Iran
At least one Israeli air strike rocked a Beirut, Lebanon suburb early Wednesday morning, killing at least 15 people according to the Associated Press. The strike came just hours after a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. told its key ally it opposed the bombing campaign there in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, the United Nations’ Human Rights Office called for an investigation into an Israeli air strike that happened on Monday which killed at least 21 people in northern Lebanon, saying it posed “real concerns” because it may have violated international laws governing war.
This comes as a Biden administration official said Israel has assured the U.S. it will not hit nuclear or oil sites when it retaliates against Iran for its missile barrage earlier this month.
However, that does not mean Israel will keep its word. In the past, the country’s track record of sticking to what it tells the U.S. has been mixed.
Just last month, U.S. officials were told by their Israeli counterparts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would welcome a U.S.- and French-led temporary cease-fire initiative in Lebanon, only for Israel to launch a massive airstrike that killed a Hezbollah leader two days later.
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $15M in baby powder cancer case
A jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $15 million to a Connecticut man who says he developed a rare form of cancer after using the company’s baby powder for decades. The man says he contracted mesothelioma from inhaling the talc powder.
The jury also said Johnson & Johnson should pay additional punitive damages, which will be determined later by the judge overseeing the case.
After the ruling, Johnson & Johnson’s vice president of litigation said the company will be appealing the decision, saying “erroneous” rulings by the judge kept the jury from hearing critical facts about the case.
Tom Brady approved to become minority owner of Raiders
Tom Brady has been called many names: the GOAT, Super Bowl champion, and NFL commentator, to name a few. Now, he can add team owner to that list.
On Tuesday, NFL team owners voted to approve Brady’s purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. The former NFL quarterback said in a statement he is eager to contribute to the Raiders organization in any way.
Because of his new title, Brady faces some restrictions in his other role as a Fox broadcaster, including being barred from weekly production meetings with the players and coaches in the games he will cover.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, NWSL, MLS, and NASCAR to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday Night Football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
At least 15 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
The death toll from Hurricane Milton rises as millions are left without power in the storm’s aftermath. And one person is killed and 12 others rescued after a disaster during a tour of a Colorado mine. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.
At least 8 dead, 2.6 million without power after Hurricane Milton
At least 15 people are dead (that number has risen since Unbiased Updates was recorded Friday morning, Oct. 11), and 2.6 million homes and businesses remain without power as Florida begins to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Milton roared across the state. It was the second devastating storm to batter the Sunshine State in less than two weeks.
Now a post-tropical cyclone, Milton is expected to continue to weaken over the next few days.
While Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast near Sarasota, most of the deaths reported have been in the eastern part of the state, where dozens of tornadoes have been reported. While the storm did not prove to be the worst-case scenario, rescuers have been very busy pulling and dragging hundreds of people from flooded areas to safety.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden have both said in this case, warnings came early and often, spurring tens of thousands of people to evacuate and saving countless lives.
Still, the cleanup and recovery processes are expected to take weeks, if not months — especially in the areas that were also hit by Hurricane Helene just 13 days before Milton barreled in.
1 dead, 12 rescued after elevator malfunction at Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 12 people are now safe after getting trapped at the bottom of a gold mine for six hours Thursday, Oct. 10. One person died after the elevator at the Mollie Kathleen Mine, a popular tourist attraction, experienced a mechanical problem 500 feet below the earth’s surface.
The 12 adults had access to water and were able to communicate with authorities via radio while trapped. As that group was stuck, rescuers were able to get to 11 other people who were riding the elevator and get them to safety.
The local sheriff said it is not yet known what caused the malfunction. An investigation is underway.
The incident happened during the final week of Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine‘s tourist season before it shuts down for the winter.
Chemical leak at Houston oil refinery kills 2, injures dozens more
Two people are dead and 35 more are injured after a chemical leak involving hydrogen sulfide, a potentially toxic gas, at an oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas — near Houston. Officials said a group was working on a flange Thursday when some kind of accident happened, and gas started leaking.
Emergency officials urged residents in the area to shelter in place after the incident, but this morning, that’s since been lifted after air monitoring showed no signs hazardous chemicals had gotten into the air.
Trump talks economic plan in Detroit; Obama rallies for Harris in PA
With just 25 days until Americans head to the polls, voters in two battleground states heard from two former presidents on Thursday. Republican nominee former President Donald Trump spoke to supporters in Detroit, Michigan while former President Barack Obama – stumped for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While delivering his economic address to the Detroit Economic Club, Trump spoke about his goal to revive the auto industry and bring a “rebirth” to Detroit. He then turned to international companies and his plan for them to open facilities in America.
“So, here is the deal that I will be offering to the world to companies outside of our world — big companies, powerful companies that have become powerful because we were stupid, we were stupid, we allowed them to come and raid and rape our country,” Trump said. “That’s what they did. ‘Oh, he used the word rape.’ That’s right, I used the word. They raped our country. The United States will give you the lowest taxes, the lowest energy cost, we have more liquid gold under our feet than any other country in the world and it’s the best…But only if you make your products here in America. In other words, you get all of these assets, but you have to make your product here in America and you have to hire American workers.”
“Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been,” Obama said. “That’s who Kamala is.”
He added, “I’m sorry gentlemen; I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior of bullying and of putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you, that is not what real strength is. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons and that is what I want to see in a president for the United States of America.”
Hezbollah official escapes during deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in Beirut killed 22 people and injured 117 others. Sources told Reuters a senior Hezbollah official, targeted by Israeli forces during the Thursday night strikes, was able to survive.
Israel has not commented on the attack.
The United Nations said its personnel is facing increasing danger in Lebanon as two U.N. peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired at a watchtower at its main headquarters in the southern portion of the country. Israel issued a statement on that incident, saying its military operated “next to” the U.N.’s base and had instructed U.N. officials to remain in protected spaces before its troops opened fire.
Hezbollah operates from within and near civilian areas in southern Lebanon, including areas near @UNIFIL_ posts.
The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.
IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base.…
The peacekeepers were said to be in good condition after being treated for their injuries.
Sports leagues come together to combat hate in America
In a sign of true sportsmanship, eight American sports leagues have come together to back a new campaign targeting hate in the U.S. It is an idea from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his foundation to combat antisemitism.
The initiative brought together the heads of the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHK, NASCAR and others to come up with plans to curb hate of any kind in the country. The sports leaders are spending $50 million to get the word out.
The campaign, titled “Timeout Against Hate,” launched during Thursday night football on Oct. 10, with a commercial featuring legendary figures and current-day athletes from all sports speaking out against hate.
NFL is sports’ most exclusive owners club. They may soon let private equity in.
The most exclusive club in all of sports is made up of National Football League owners. For decades, the NFL has kept a tight lid on who can call themselves a member of that club. This week, that could change.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, owners are expected to vote on a proposal allowing private equity ownership. The NFL would be the last major sports league in the U.S. to open that door.
The average NFL team is worth nearly $6 billion. Because of strict rules on ownership and financing, the club is limited to the wealthy among the wealthy — well, except for the Packers — and skyrocketing team values have only further narrowed the list of who can afford it.
Before every private equity firm jumps at the chance to get a slice of the NFL, know that the proposal includes just a handful of handpicked firms, pre-approved by the league. These firms could buy as much as 10% of a team, which is far less than the 30% that other sports leagues allow.
So what’s in it for private equity? The value of NFL teams has outpaced the stock market over the past couple of decades and it has more stability than investing in the market.
Sports teams will be a very small fraction of the funds’ holdings, but it’s an area of huge growth, and still, there’s that exclusivity factor with a limited number of teams nationwide.
And what’s in it for the owners? A chance to free up some cash, to start. It’s been hard to find qualified buyers for teams and even harder to sell limited partners on the deal since they don’t get voting rights. Private equity is a way around that and could make it easier to put together future deals.
American funds don’t need the perks as much as they need a place to park capital. And for existing owners who need to free up some liquidity, for stadium projects or to buy out other partners, they could be among the first to sign up to sell a stake.