Why is Cleveland forcing Jimmy Haslam to sell the Browns? $8,500,000,000 NFL owner caught in legal tussle

The Cleveland Browns could soon have a new owner, as Jimmy Haslam could be forced to sell. Haslam, who has a net worth of $8.5 billion according to Forbes, has owned the Browns since 2012.

However, according to Fox8, the city of Cleveland and Mayor Justin Bibb sent a letter to Jimmy Haslam saying the city will lead a fight to find new owners for the Cleveland Browns.

The city invoked the Modell Law in an attempt to block the Browns from leaving the stadium downtown and building a dome stadium in Brook Park, via Fox 8:

“And if that opportunity were provided, the City intends to take a leadership role in assembling an ‘individual or group of individuals who reside in the area’ in purchasing the team.

"If the Browns intend to begin the six-month window during which the team must be offered for purchase, please identify (1) the date on which the team will be offered for purchase and (2) a date and time at which we can send our representatives to begin inspection and evaluation of the Browns’ records, as defined in R.C. § 1706.01.”

The city said it needs a response by Jan. 9 or it will take legal action. The city has spent over $350 million in the past 20 years for the construction, repair and maintenance of Huntington Bank Field.

However, Haslam and the Browns are planning to continue to move forward with building the domed stadium in Brook Park. They have filed legal action in federal court saying they are “attempting to get clarity” on the Modell Law, the report said.

Jimmy Haslam's team issues response to Cleveland

After the City of Cleveland tried to make Jimmy Haslam sell the Browns, his team issued a statement.

Haslam Sports Group spokesperson Peter John-Baptiste issued a statement to Fox 8 and said the plan is to build the new stadium:

“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."

He added:

"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 are 3-13 and will end its 2024 NFL season on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens.