The city has sued the team over the proposed move out of Cleveland to a domed stadium in Brook Park. The lawsuit arises under the Modell Law, which was enacted after the late Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1996.

The City of Cleveland returned fire Tuesday in its battle with the Haslam Sports Group. The city filed a lawsuit in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas asking for one of two things: that the team be offered for purchase by local buyers to prevent the move to Brook Park or that the company negotiate its exit from the city.