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Exploration in high school robotics is what helped NASA Engineer Christopher Morris find his future career as a mechanical test engineer in the propulsion systems laboratory.
The letter, signed by an informal coalition of professional teams across the state, urged passage of the legislation to aid stadium and arena facilities and to help realize proposed supportive developments in entertainment districts near them. In addition to DeWine, the June 13 letter was addressed to Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Ohio Senate President Rob McColley.
Ohio boasts the most major-league sports franchises per capita in the U.S., coalition members say, and the teams emphasized the billions in economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs generated annually through sports-driven tourism, business attraction and local commerce.
In their joint message, the teams commended the governor’s proposal for its clarity, fiscal responsibility and long-term vision. Specifically, they said they support prioritization of major- and minor-league sports venues due to their broad economic reach and eligibility for stadiums and mixed-use developments connected to sports facilities, dubbed “ballpark villages.”
As proposed, state funding awards from this program could cover up to 40 percent of a project’s total costs. The funding awards would be overseen by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission which the teams said would “ensure transparency and accountability.” There appears to be more than $1.7 billion in unclaimed funds available for stadiums, arenas and their entertainment districts.
“This proposal balances local, state, and team contributions while protecting Ohio taxpayers,” the letter stated. “It provides a strategic, sustainable approach to keeping Ohio’s sports venues competitive for decades to come.”
The letter comes at a time when there is ongoing discussion in Ohio about how to fund stadium and facility improvements for professional sports teams, including the proposed $2.2 billion enclosed stadium for the Cleveland Browns in suburban Brook Park and an $830 million renovation of Paycor Stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns are seeking $600 million from the state while the Bengals want $350 million.
Neither professional football team co-signed this latest letter. Nor did the Columbus Crew soccer team which, like the Cleveland Browns, is owned by the Haslam Sports Group (HSG). NEOtrans reached out to Peter John-Baptiste, chief communications officer at HSG, but he declined comment.
However, a source familiar with the sports teams’ effort to gather signatures for the letter spoke to NEOtrans on the condition of anonymity. The source said neither the Bengals or HSG’s Ohio teams were asked to contribute signatures even though they are reportedly supportive of expanding the Ohio Unclaimed Funds for stadiums to all pro teams.
The Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) was among those co-signing the letter. It has secured two developmental league pro soccer franchises for Cleveland — a men’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro team and a Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Pro franchise.
But both to-be-organized teams lack a stadium facility. CSG says Cleveland is the only top-40 market in the U.S. lacking a soccer stadium or even having one under construction. CSG has proposed constructing a $50 million, 10,000-seat, modular-built stadium in Downtown Cleveland’s Gateway South area next to Ontario Street and the Inner Belt highway.
“We’d like the state to provide a meaningful contribution to this project, but we are working to understand the sources available to us,” said Gina Prodan Kelly, CSG’s chief marketing officer. “To our knowledge, Cleveland Soccer Group’s stadium is the only project in Ohio focused on a women’s professional sports team.”
Different proposals have been put forward to fund these and other professional sports stadiums as well as university and local school sports facilities and programs. One of those was by DeWine to increase the tax on sports gambling operators.
CEOs, presidents and managers of 15 teams signed the letter. In addition to CSG CEO Michael Murphy, the teams were the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Blue Jackets, Akron Rubber Ducks, Columbus Clippers, Dayton Dragons, Lake County Captains, Lake Erie Crushers, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club, and Toledo Walleye Hockey Club.
In the letter, the teams also highlighted their continued investment in Ohio communities, noting that public-private partnerships have led to billions in development, national and international event attraction, and positioning Ohio as a top destination for families, fans, and businesses alike.
“As the General Assembly approaches the final stages of budget negotiations, the coalition urged lawmakers to adopt the governor’s framework — coupled with the Senate’s proposed funding source — to advance a bold, future-focused strategy that keeps Ohio at the forefront of sports, entertainment, and economic opportunity,” the teams said.
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