Browns sue city of Cleveland, seek clarification of 'Modell Law'

CLEVELAND -- The Browns' back-and-forth battle with Cleveland over a planned move into a new suburban stadium has gone to court.

The NFL team said Thursday it has filed a lawsuit in federal court asking for clarification of the "Modell Law," which the city has threatened to use to keep the Browns from leaving after their lease at lakefront Huntington Bank Field expires in 2028.

The team has played its games in downtown Cleveland since the 1940s, and in its current 65,000-seat stadium, which is leased to the team by the city, since 1999.

The section of state law known as the "Modell Law" says any professional sports owner that uses a tax-supported facility for home games and gets funding from the state or a political subdivision can't leave unless it gets permission to play elsewhere or gives six months' notice.