Thankfully for the Browns, Armonty Bryant has been a man of his word
November 15, 2013Have you seen Brownie the Elf?
November 15, 2013
on
I had the pleasure to attend the Cleveland Planning Commission hearing today and testify. Even though I am impressed with many of the fan enhancements proposed to First Energy Stadium by the Cleveland Browns; I sincerely question the loss of 3,000 of the least expensive seats to the fans in the facility, and the loss of revenue associated with these seats to the City of Cleveland and downtown businesses.
I clearly understand the Browns plan to enhance advertising revenue opportunities on their new proposed state-of-the-art scoreboards and to improve fan access to the facility — a major flaw from the original rushed design and construction.
However, it is more clear now that the overwhelming dollar amount for the facility upgrades is ultimately to improve the Cleveland Browns’ bottom line through additional advertising and promotional space on their new state-of-the-art scoreboards both static advertising and electronic as we heard today.
We heard the NFL could contribute half of the improvement costs through a loan to the Browns. I assume the NFL views the Browns as a worthy investment. As I’ve stated publicly, I and my colleagues am sure would be willing to consider a likewise loan to the Browns, versus taking away capital funds from much needed city projects for our residents and neighborhoods.
I am once again looking to the Browns’ civic soul in these negotiations and hope they will not disappoint our citizens who have supported this organization with their heart and soul. I call upon Mayor Jackson and the administration to bargain vigorously on our behalf.
— Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek discussing the recent news of the Cleveland Browns’ plans to upgrade FirstEnergy Stadium. The total proposed project is said to cost roughly $120 million, with approximately half of this being funded by the NFL. Councilman Polensek is one of the many who are staunchly opposed to the city of Cleveland, or the fans, being asked (or forced) to fund the remainder.
[Related: Pics: First look at the new FirstEnergy Stadium (Updated)]
(Source: Cleveland City Council on Facebook via Cleveland Scene)
9 Comments
ummm duh!
its a business
the city lost out on a lot of money by not selling the naming rights – as was done this past off season to First Energy. thats 14 years of lost revenue.
Hear hear! Cleveland is not alone among sports towns to have gotten a rotten deal when financing stadiums to help billionaires get richer, but Councilman Polensek looks like he’s ready to fight the good fight.
Seriously? Of course the upgrade is to benefit the bottom line. All decisions in the NFL are to benefit the bottom line.
Well yes, but he’s saying more than that…it’s bottom line at the expense of 3,000 of the cheap seats, meaning a loss to the more rank and file fans. Plus it’s bottom line for the org without something in return to the city & fans. In other words, the trade off is not worth the city footing the bill–and I agree.
“As I’ve stated publicly, I and my colleagues am sure would be
willing to consider a likewise loan to the Browns, versus taking away
capital funds from much needed city projects for our residents and
neighborhoods.”
/head hurt
That was a trainwreck.
So, who got the $102M from the naming rights, the city or the Browns?
Hopefully there would be a way to add those seats back (and then some) in future renovations.
I agree too. Cleveland should LOAN the money, but not give it outright.