According to a cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer analysis, the Cleveland Browns' planned covered stadium in Brook Park, with an estimated cost of $2.4 billion, could become one of the most expensive stadiums in modern world history. The team aims to split the cost equally between the team's owners and taxpayers, highlighting the growing expenses associated with professional sports stadiums.

Comparing the proposed price tag to other recent NFL stadium projects, it falls within a similar range. However, it also emphasizes the significant amount of money that the Browns' owners are willing to contribute, as well as their request for taxpayer support.

SoFi Stadium, located in suburban Los Angeles and home to the L.A. Rams since 2020, currently holds the record as the most expensive stadium in modern history, both within the NFL and worldwide, with a cost of $5.5 billion. Notably, this stadium was entirely funded by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, making it an exception among NFL stadiums, as it did not rely on public funding.

In comparison, two recent NFL stadium projects show similarities to the Browns' proposal. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, which opened in 2020 to host the relocated Oakland Raiders, had approximately 38% of its $2 billion construction cost covered by $750 million in public funds, with the remaining 62% funded by the team. Similarly, Nashville's new $2.1 billion stadium for the Tennessee Titans was financed by 60% through state and city bonds. Additionally, a new $1.54 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills, set to open in 2026, will be supported by $850 million in public subsidies, covering 55% of the construction cost.

The Browns' $2.4 billion estimate does not disclose the detailed breakdown of how the figure was calculated. However, during closed-door meetings with state lawmakers, team representatives revealed that the stadium's field would be situated 80 feet below ground level to avoid interference with nearby Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The escalating cost of constructing NFL stadiums in recent years can be attributed to factors such as higher inflation rates, labor costs, and building material prices. Additionally, stadiums are now designed to provide fans with more than just seating and concession stands. With amenities and attractions that resemble shopping malls, including features like in-seat food and beverage ordering via wifi, stadiums have become increasingly lavish and equipped with numerous bells and whistles, as stated by Michael Leeds, a sports economics expert from Temple University.

As the Cleveland Browns' proposed covered stadium in Brook Park aims to join the league of expensive modern stadiums, the discussion of how the cost will be shared between team owners and taxpayers continues. Further details regarding the project's financing and potential public incentives, such as tax breaks or stadium maintenance expenses, have yet to be disclosed.

The construction of the proposed Brook Park stadium represents a significant investment by the Browns' ownership, aligned with the trend of rising costs in the sports industry.