"What's the end game here?" - Browns fans make feelings known as Mayor Bibb ignites legal fight with Jimmy Haslam

The Cleveland Browns could soon be for sale. The city and mayor Justin Bibb is trying to force Jimmy Haslam to sell the team as the owner is trying to leave the stadium downtown and build a dome stadium in Brook Park.

Haslam's team said the plan is still to leave and go to Brook Park. However, Browns fans don't seem pleased that the city is trying to force Haslam to sell the team.

"So what's the end game here? Force the sale of the #Browns, new owners in place in 3-4 years after litigation, then what? The City would need to pump a billion into the current stadium to make this viable, then another billion into a new stadium. They got that laying around?," a fan wrote.

"Surely Cleveland has better things to focus on," a fan wrote.

Fans believe the city of Cleveland has better things to do than to try and force Haslam to sell the team.

"The last time the city picked a fight like this with a narcissist owner, the team moved to Baltimore. Learn from the past, Bibb, or be doomed to repeat it," a fan wrote.

"I'd bet money this law isn't enforceable. They can try all they want...but it's not gonna happen," a fan added.

Browns fans believe Haslam will remain the owner, which some people aren't happy about.

"Jimmy will likely move the franchise. Don’t care… just move it back when he done with it," a fan wrote.

"The city of Cleveland is so inept. Butthurt idiots. Build the dome," a fan added.

Haslam has owned the Browns since 2012.

Browns & Haslam moving forward with plans to build new stadium

Despite the city of Cleveland trying to force Jimmy Haslam to sell, the owner still has plans to build the new stadium in Brook Park.

Haslam Sports Group spokesperson Peter John-Baptiste issued a statement to Fox8 and confirmed the plans to build the new stadium are still a go despite the legal challenge from the city.

“We received and are reviewing the correspondence from Mayor Bibb. As we stated months ago when we filed our lawsuit seeking clarity on the ‘Modell Law,’ the statute and the City’s actions create uncertainty and do not serve the interest of Greater Cleveland.

"As the City knows, after the 2028 season, we will have fulfilled our lease obligations at the current stadium."

The statement continued:

"We are determined to create a project to solve our long-term stadium planning by building a new enclosed Huntington Bank Field and adjacent [mixed-use] development, resulting in a substantial increase in premier large-scale events and economic activity for our region that will generate significant revenue for the City, County, and State.

"We intend to respond directly in due course to Mayor Bibb’s letter and have no further comment at this time.”

The Browns will end its disappointing 2024 season on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.