COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Cleveland Browns want $600 million state dollars to build a new stadium, with that money currently a line item in the proposed state operating budget. 

That money is in the state operating budget in the form of bonds, but the issue has been hotly debated at the Ohio Statehouse, and some said taxpayers should not been on the hook to fund a new stadium for a franchise that can easily afford to it without state dollars. 

Ohio Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) is taking aim at the issue in a new bill that requires a professional sports team to have a winning record in three of its last five seasons to receive any public money from the state. 

“They always that these sports teams provide the public benefits and helps local communities and all this stuff,” he said. “Well, it doesn’t when you stink, okay? When the Browns stink, they’re not helping anybody.”  

To be exact, the team must have at least a .500 record in those three of five seasons. New teams would be exempt from this requirement “but must demonstrate competitive performance before seeking additional financing.” 

“We have lots of issues in the state of Ohio right now, from public education to the Medicaid cuts, they want to cut libraries, they want to cut support to higher education,” DeMora said. “They do all these things and then want to give $600 million to a professional football team that stinks? That’s ridiculous. Something needs to be done.”  

He said if nothing else, this bill sends the message that “not everyone buys into the willy nilly that you need public money to do this.” 

“Other cities, other owners did it on their own,” he said. 

DeMora said if you are spending public money, that means giving the public what they want. 

“That’s a winning team,” he said. 

The bill also requires that if a franchise leaves the state, it pays back all the money it received from the state. DeMora said he is not necessarily confident that the bill will pass, but said he hopes it sends a message. 

“I don’t have delusions of grandeur, but someone needs to say that we’re standing up to these billionaires,” he said. 

The only team currently seeking state funding, the Cleveland Browns’ records for the last five years are 11-5 in 2020, 8-9 in 2021, 7-10 in 2022, 11-6 in 2023, and 3-14 in 2024