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Agencies flag Browns’ stadium plans; Browns say analysis contains misinformation

CLEVELAND — Two state agencies are raising questions about whether a $600 million investment in a new Cleveland Browns stadium will be a good deal for Ohio and its taxpayers. In a memo released Monday, the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission warns that the team’s predictions about traffic and events at a new, domed stadium in […]

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CLEVELAND — Two state agencies are raising questions about whether a $600 million investment in a new Cleveland Browns stadium will be a good deal for Ohio and its taxpayers.

In a memo released Monday, the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission warns that the team’s predictions about traffic and events at a new, domed stadium in Brook Park might be “overly optimistic.”

In a separate letter, obtained by News 5, the state’s budget director says her office does not support a plan to issue $600 million in bonds for construction.

The documents show that state policy analysts have big concerns about the public’s proposed role in the $2.4 billion stadium project. They’re skeptical about the Browns’ math on everything from construction jobs to spending at the 176-acre planned stadium district, where renderings also show apartments, hotels, offices, restaurants, retail and parking.

Team owner Haslam Sports Group “inappropriately overstates projections of future taxes generated by the project, over-inflating positive impacts,” wrote Kimberly Murnieks, the state’s budget director, in a letter addressed to other public officials last month.

The Browns pushed back late Monday, with a point-by-point response to the budget office’s report. In an emailed statement, the team also challenged the Legislative Service Commission’s analysis, saying it contained inaccuracies and misinformation.

A Browns spokesman said the team has already addressed many of the agencies’ concerns in direct conversations with Gov. Mike DeWine and other officials.

“We question many of the memos’ assertions and have worked with our team of national experts to prepare relevant information and responses,” Peter John-Baptiste, the team’s chief communications officer, wrote in an email.

“We understand and welcome Governor DeWine’s commitment to creating a responsible funding mechanism for sports facilities across Ohio, as he has consistently communicated the positive impact Ohio’s teams and their venues have on the state,” he added. “We look forward to more ongoing, collaborative dialogue with the governor and other state officials to create the best solution to bring our transformative project to the state and Northeast Ohio.”

The General Assembly is considering a proposal to borrow $600 million for the Brook Park stadium. The state would repay that debt, with interest, using tax revenues from the entire mixed-use stadium district.

The total cost to the state could approach $1 billion over 25 years.

Browns reveal more details about Brook Park plans in a pitch to state lawmakers

RELATED: Browns reveal more details about Brook Park plans in a pitch to state lawmakers

The Browns say Ohio will more than recoup its investment in the project. But state policy analysts – and financing experts interviewed by News 5 – say it’s impossible to properly vet those claims.

They want to see the assumptions and math behind the team’s headline numbers.

Finance experts, lawmakers ask Browns to explain their math

RELATED:‘No more pretty pictures’: Finance experts, lawmakers ask Browns to explain their math

“The academic literature on publicly funded sports stadiums is vast, covering many decades, sports, states and municipalities,” staffers at the Legislative Service Commission wrote in their memo. “The overwhelming conclusion from this body of research is that there are little to no tangible impacts of sports teams and facilities on local economic activity. A second conclusion is that the level of government subsidies given for the construction of facilities far exceeds any observed economic benefits when they do exist.”

The state budget director, meanwhile, wrote that Haslam Sports Group’s forecast for construction hiring seems “wildly overblown.”

She added that the state is facing many large capital projects – public buildings and infrastructure – and “does not have the capacity to accommodate these priorities plus $600 million in bonds for a single sports facility.”

‘An incredibly huge decision’ 

The Ohio House included the bond package in its version of the biennial budget bill in early April.

At the time, Rep. Brian Stewart, an Ashville Republican who leads the House finance committee, called it “the most conservative stadium funding proposal in America.”

He said the state has a long history of issuing bonds for major projects, as part of its capital budget bill. Stewart added that the Browns’ plan is “backed up by detailed financial metrics under which the new tax revenue generated by this project will pay the cost of the bonds, with no out-of-pocket expense for our taxpayers.”

On Monday, Stewart said he was not available to talk about the concerns raised by state policy analysts.

One of the memos shows that the state budget office voiced its objections to the stadium financing plan two weeks before the House voted on the budget.

Now the debate over the budget – and stadium funding more broadly – has moved to the Senate, which expects to vote on its version of the mammoth spending bill by mid-June.

After that, the chambers will hash out any differences between their versions. The final budget needs to go to DeWine’s desk for his signature – and any vetoes – by June 30.

The governor favors an alternative plan to double the tax rate on sports-gaming companies’ profits to pay for stadiums and youth sports education.

DeWine proposes using some of the money sports bettors lose in Ohio to help pay for new sports stadiums

RELATED: DeWine proposes using some of the money sports bettors lose in Ohio to help pay for new sports stadiums

Sen. Nickie Antonio, the chamber’s minority leader, recently asked the Legislative Service Commission to weigh in on the Browns’ proposal. The Lakewood Democrat released the agency’s memo Monday.

During an interview, she said the analysis just leaves her with more questions and concerns.

“We’ve been asked to make an incredibly huge decision. … That’s a lot of money to be able to be working off the back of a napkin, which is what this feels like sometimes right now,” she said. “So any time that we can add to the information about this for our decision-making, I think it’s really important.”

Antonio wants clarity on what will happen if state tax revenues from the project fall short of covering the debt payments. The House budget bill requires the Browns to put up $50 million as a sort of security deposit – money Haslam Sports Group would get back if the state doesn’t need to tap it. But Antonio isn’t sure that’s enough.

She’s also worried about the impact a Brook Park stadium could have on Cleveland.

“To cannibalize and gut the city of Cleveland, and take these resources away, I don’t think serves anyone well,” said Antonio, who represents much of the city.

The Browns also want Cuyahoga County to issue $600 million in bonds for the project. But County Executive Chris Ronayne has said that request is far too large – and too risky for the county and taxpayers to take on. He’s been urging the Browns to stay Downtown.

‘Not simply a world-class stadium’

Until this week, the only economic-impact reports about the stadium came from the city of Cleveland and the Browns.

A study commissioned by the city last year said losing the team would be a blow to a fragile Downtown, where fans spend money on transit, hotels, bar tabs and restaurant bills. The report also said an enclosed suburban stadium could siphon events away from Rocket Arena and other Downtown venues.

A Browns move to Brook Park will deal an economic blow to Cleveland, study says

RELATED: A Browns move to Brook Park will deal an economic blow to Cleveland, study says

A consultant said the city would lose $11 million in annual tax collections. But the report did not include how much Cleveland is spending on debt service and other expenses each year for Huntington Bank Field, which is city-owned. The Browns’ stadium lease is set to end in early 2029.

The Browns, meanwhile, say the Brook Park stadium district would be a net gain for Cleveland and the region. In December, the team released headline findings from a report showing the project could bring up to 1.5 million more visitors here each year, luring major concerts that are skipping Ohio and pumping $1.2 billion into the local economy.

Browns say new Brook Park stadium district will add $1.2 billion to the local economy

RELATED: Browns say new Brook Park stadium district will add $1.2 billion to the local economy

The Legislative Service Commission cited both reports in its analysis – but said it wasn’t able to get a full copy of the Browns’ economic-impact study, prepared by a real estate consulting firm called RCLCO. The team has only released an executive summary.

The agency believes the Brook Park project will take jobs and activity away from Cleveland – and could pull sporting events from other Ohio venues, too. In the memo, the researchers noted that Haslam Sports Group, which also owns the Columbus Crew soccer team, recently moved a game from Columbus to Cleveland to capture a much larger crowd flocking to see superstar Lionel Messi.

“The increase in economic activity in Cleveland was therefore created at the cost of revenue that would otherwise have been generated in Columbus,” the memo said.

The researchers also said they didn’t have a clear answer to lawmakers’ questions about whether issuing stadium bonds might run afoul of the Ohio constitution. Ultimately, they wrote, only a court can make that decision.

The Browns say the new stadium would be owned by a New Community Authority, a special governmental entity that has unique powers to develop and finance projects. In a response to the state budget office, the team and its consultants said the deal structure aligns with Ohio law and the state’s borrowing policies.

“Our project is not simply a world-class stadium that would be Ohio’s first dome and the easternmost dome in the United States,” the team wrote. “It is a transformative … sports-anchored, mixed-use development project.”





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Sports in brief: District 65 Tournaments slated | Youth Sports

District 65 Tournaments are about to begin The District 65 Little League 12’s, 11’s, 10’s and Tournament of Stars tourneys will begin Saturday, except the 10’s tournament, which will begin June 21. The Nipomo Little League will host the 12’s tournament. Atascadero will host the 11’s tourney, Lompoc will host the 10’s tournament and Village […]

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District 65 Tournaments are about to begin

Lompoc coaching opening



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Vanderbilt Football | Times, Windows Set for Rest of Football Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Additional game times and windows for Vanderbilt football’s eight SEC games were released by the league office on Wednesday, less than two weeks after kickoff times and television information was announced for the Commodores’ first three contests of the fall. Vandy’s final two nonconference matchups with Georgia State (Sept. 20) and Utah […]

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Additional game times and windows for Vanderbilt football’s eight SEC games were released by the league office on Wednesday, less than two weeks after kickoff times and television information was announced for the Commodores’ first three contests of the fall.

Vandy’s final two nonconference matchups with Georgia State (Sept. 20) and Utah State (Sept. 27) will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and 11:45 a.m., respectively, at FirstBank Stadium, while it was also revealed that the Dores’ game at Texas on Nov. 1 will kick off at 11 a.m.

All other contests in the fall were designated a window of early (11 a.m.-noon), afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.), night (5-7 p.m.) or flex (afternoon or night). Flex games, which are limited in scope, will be narrowed to a specific window 12 days prior to kickoff, with precise times and broadcast networks for those matchups announced six days prior to kickoff.

This marks the second season that the SEC will use this system, which was designed to help ESPN and ABC have maximum flexibility to present the top games as the season goes on while also providing more advance knowledge of game timing to assist with game day planning.

2025 Vanderbilt Football Kickoff Times & Windows (all times Central)
Aug. 30 vs. Charleston Southern – 6 p.m. (ESPN+/SEC+)
Sept. 6 at Virginia Tech – 6:30 p.m. (ACCN)
Sept. 13 at South Carolina – 6 or 6:45 p.m. (ESPN or SECN)
Sept. 20 vs. Georgia State – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Sept. 27 vs. Utah State – 11:45 a.m. (SECN)
Oct. 4 at Alabama – Flex (2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m.)
Oct. 18 vs. LSU – Early (11 a.m.-noon)
Oct. 25 vs. Missouri – Flex (2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m.)
Nov. 1 at Texas – 11 a.m. (ABC or ESPN)
Nov. 8 vs. Auburn – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 22 vs. Kentucky – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 29 at Tennessee – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)

More information on tickets for the Commodores’ 2025 season is available here, while limited seating remains available in the brand-new Commodore Club premium seating in the south end zone.





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Creighton University breaks ground on softball and baseball fields

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Creighton University leaders and others broke ground, Wednesday on the over 200 thousand square foot softball competition field and baseball practice field. The softball field will have enhanced facilities like a dugout, dedicated bullpen, and a video board. The baseball field will serve not only as a practice field, but as […]

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OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Creighton University leaders and others broke ground, Wednesday on the over 200 thousand square foot softball competition field and baseball practice field.

The softball field will have enhanced facilities like a dugout, dedicated bullpen, and a video board.

The baseball field will serve not only as a practice field, but as a training ground for Omaha youth sports and teams heading to the College World Series.

“The two other important realities are keep helping building Omaha’s urban core and celebrating the relationship with the College World Series which is 75 years strong,” said Creighton University President Rev. Daniel Hendrickson.

The total cost is estimated to be around $30 million.

The estimated completion of the softball field is this fall and the baseball field will be ready in June 2026.

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Campers, instructors mingle during Hancock baseball camp | Youth Sports

As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball). “Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call […]

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As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball).

“Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call it!, call it!”

“We got two outs!,” an instructor exclaimed, as a camper threw to a fielder on a makeshift second base for a force out.

Hancock head baseball coach Chris Stevens is helping oversee Hancock’s 25th annual edition of the camps this week. There will be a camp next week as well.

The camps are coed. Youngsters ages 5-13 are eligible. 

“We have 36 campers in this camp, and in the camp next week we’re already at 45,” Stevens said.

“Our numbers are down some. Last year we were in the 70’s, up to 90. Average for us is in the 50’s.”

Nonetheless, “It’s been going great,” this year, said Stevens. “Our instructors have been great, and the kids are having a lot of fun.

“We try to keep the kids busy, but we also try to give them some experience.”

Brayden Nunes, 12, and Donny Shiffrar, 11, are veteran Hancock Baseball Camp campers. Nunes has been coming to both winter and summer Hancock camps for six years. Shiffrar has been coming to Hancock winter and summer camps for five.

“I like it that we can learn a bunch more stuff, and that all the kids in the camp are nice,” said Nunes. The right-handed Nunes played shortstop and pitches for the Orcutt American Little League Rangers.

Shiffrar is a right-handed second baseman for the Orcutt National Cardinals.

“What I like most about the camp are the Hancock players,” said Shiffrar. “They’re pretty cool.”

Andrew Sandoval is in his first year of working at a Hancock camp. The freshman Pioneer Valley graduate played shortstop for the Bulldogs this past season.

“I like being out here with the kids and teaching them the right way to play the game,” Sandoval said Wednesday.

“I like seeing them get better. That’s the best part.”



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Campers, instructors mingle during Hancock baseball camp | Youth Sports

As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball). “Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call […]

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on


As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball).

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Why I Became a High School Umpire—Even After Getting Ridiculed Behind the Plate

Yes, I could easily focus solely on the negative, because my worst fears were indeed realized. But I’m not going to in this instance.  This past spring, after years of writing about high school sports for a variety of publications, I decided to try and give back to kids, parents and coaches in another way […]

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Yes, I could easily focus solely on the negative, because my worst fears were indeed realized. But I’m not going to in this instance. 

This past spring, after years of writing about high school sports for a variety of publications, I decided to try and give back to kids, parents and coaches in another way by registering to become an umpire in both baseball and softball. 

I did it despite the horror stories of umpire abuse throughout the country, and sure enough, I endured one of those experiences. 

While working behind home plate, the head coach of one baseball team called time for the sole purpose of berating my strike zone and saying I was responsible for having his pitcher throw more pitches than he should be. 

After calling the next two pitches strikes — because they actually were in my eyes, not based on what the berating coach was saying — the other coach called time to and accused me of changing calls based on the other coach arguing. 

All the while, parents and other fans were giving mock cheers and chiming in with their thoughts loudly. 

There have been other times of ridicule as well, even if not as demonstrative. 

Again though, I’m not here to focus on any of that. For every bad experience, there have been 10 other great ones of players, coaches and parents showing way more support than I expected when starting this venture. 

No doubt, maybe people are fully understanding why there is such a drastic referring shortage nationwide, with the National Federation of State High School Associations reporting that more than 50,000 officials have left the profession since 2018-19. 

It doesn’t matter that there is always work available and the pay is good, whether it’s extra cash to supplement another career, quick money to be made in the midst of a job transition, or a way to make money and stay active in retirement. People are still getting out of it.  

It can’t be understated how much that impacts kids and a multi-billion dollar youth sports industry that pulls in more money than the NFL and MLB combined. 

If there are no officials, there are no games. If there are no games, then the life lessons, opportunities and memories playing sports can offer don’t exist. 

For anyone hesitant to get into refereeing or umpiring, focus on what you are giving back and how much you can impact lives forever. Don’t focus on any potential ridicule or abuse, as it can easily happen anyway in everyday life. 

Much like kids are taught to learn from mistakes and simply work to get better, the same logic can apply to people getting into refereeing or umpiring for the first time. Spend time to get experience and learn the craft. It can actually feel good to be on the same wavelength as the kids in that regard in that we are all learning and striving to be better every day. 

Even with the ridicule that can be received during the process, from my experience, don’t quit that easily.

The reward of giving back to kids and communities and ensuring they are soaking in all that sports have to offer is way greater. 

Because of that, people can ridicule me all they want. I’m going to battle and fight for these kids no matter what going forward. 

If anyone is thinking about taking the plunge and getting into refereeing or umpiring, you can do the same. Don’t let the potential of abuse win. Kids, families and communities are counting on it. 



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