Overview
- Franklin County Judge Bill Sperlazza granted a temporary restraining order that pauses the Browns’ access to $600 million for a proposed Brook Park stadium.
- Ohio planned to begin transferring about $1.7 billion in unclaimed funds to a new sports and cultural grant program on Jan. 1, with a hearing on a longer injunction set for Jan. 8.
- Plaintiffs Marc Dann and Jeff Crossman argue the plan violates due process and the state constitution’s single‑subject rule, and their filings allege a pay‑to‑play scheme tied to the team owners’ 2024 political donations.
- A federal judge previously allowed the unclaimed‑funds plan to proceed, and the plaintiffs have appealed that decision to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- State lawyer Aneca Lasley says the fund remains sufficient and claims can be filed until 2036, while testimony indicated no direct notice was provided about the planned transfer.