Avon Lady Eagles secured the Division I title without any first place finishes. The Lady Eagles went to Columbus with 12 events. Kaitlyn Reese paved the way with 21 points. Reese finished second in the 1600m (4:51.38) third in the 800m (2:12.08)  fourth in 3200m (10:41.26) and ran third leg on the second place 4×8 relay (9:11.24). Alyse Brediger finished 4th in the 100m (11.91) and  200m (24.69). Brediger also placed second in the 400m (55.40) and ran second leg on the fourth place 4×2 (1:40.06) Lily Hamilton place second in the Shot Put (43-09) and Kenzie Kiesel placed third in the Discus (128-03). The Lady Eagles finished with 58 points.

Beachwood Lady Bison were on a mission. Their mission was accomplished finishing with four first place finishes. Meena Abdul-Basser paced the team with 23 points. Abdul-Basser finished with first place in the 200m (25.16) 400m (54.77) and the third leg on the record breaking 4×2 relay along with K.Harris-Tate, K. Ginn and M. Readance (1:39.86). K’Dyn Harris-Tate finished first in the 100m (12.56) second in 200m (25.24). Marley Readance finished fifth in the 100m (13.00) Beachwood 4×4 relay finished 8th (4:08.56). The Lady Bison racked up 53 points.

Glenville captured their third state title in five  years. It was the Jay’vier “SIMBA” Kerr  show. Kerr paced the way with 22 points. Kerr took first place in the state record breaking Long Jump (24-6) and a blazing (46.97) in the 400m. Kerr placed eighth in the 200m (22.34) and ran on the fifth place 4×4 relay with the team of F. Taylor, C. Youngblood, and C. Scott (3:22.57) The 4×4 relay secured the state title after collecting four points. The Tarblooders 4×2 relay team (1:27.46) of F. Taylor, D.Crittenden, L. Hearn and D. Shephard placed second. The 4×1 relay (42.04)  placed fourth, J.Johnson, D. Whitner, L.Hearn, and D. Shephard. Demetrius Bryant placed sixth in the High Jump with a season best jump (6-5). Glenville finished with 41 points.

First place finishes for northeast Ohio schools

Max Hauck (Avon) Discus 180-10 

Shot Put 63-0.5

Jackson Hughes (Avon) Long Jump  23-5.

Streetsboro 4×2 relay 1:26.69

Buchtel (girls) 4×2 relay 1:39.28

Rileigh Scarvelli ( Avon Lake)(girls) Shot Put 45-3

James Conrad (St. Ignatius) Discus 194 feet

Riley Jones (Berea Midpark) High Jump 6-8

Rapolas Ogorodnikas (Mentor) 400m 47.54

Bryan Shin (Solon) Shot Put 60-3

Allison Urbas (Painesville Riverside) 100H 14.21

Hannah Jicha (Strongsville) 1600m 4:44.82

Twinsburg 4×4 relay (girls) 3:53.83

Neveah Hall ( Valley Forge) Long Jump 18-9

Deianna Johnson (Maple Hts.) Long Jump 18-7.25

How did CMSD school perform:

John Hay 4×2 1:27.44 

Khalil Bryant  (John Hay) 400m 46.44

Charlia Sanders (Cle.JFK) 100m 12.26

The post Avon and Beachwood Girls Captured State Titles along with Glenville Boys bringing three state trophies to Northeast Ohio appeared first on Call and Post.

The echoes inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse were impossible to ignore Monday night.

“Let’s Go Knicks!”

For Cleveland fans, it was a painful ending to a dream season. For New York, it was the rebirth of one of basketball’s most historic franchises.

The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Cleveland Cavaliers 130-93 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, completing a stunning four-game sweep and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.  

Led by a relentless defensive attack and balanced scoring, New York turned what was expected to be a heavyweight series into a one-sided domination. Karl-Anthony Towns posted 19 points and 14 rebounds, while OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges continued the explosive playoff run that has transformed the Knicks from contenders into championship favorites.  

For Cleveland, the loss marked a devastating conclusion to a season filled with promise. The Cavaliers entered the postseason believing this could be the franchise’s first Finals run without LeBron James since the 1990s. Instead, the team collapsed under the pressure and intensity of a Knicks squad that appeared faster, tougher, and mentally sharper throughout the series.

The turning point may forever be remembered as Game 1.

Cleveland blew a 22-point fourth-quarter lead at Madison Square Garden — a collapse many observers say shattered the Cavs’ confidence for the remainder of the series. From that moment on, New York seized complete control.  

The sweep also carried historic significance for the Knicks franchise.

The organization had not reached the NBA Finals since the lockout-shortened 1999 season, when legends like Patrick Ewing, Latrell Sprewell, and Allan Houston carried New York through an unforgettable playoff run before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.

For more than a quarter-century afterward, the Knicks became synonymous with dysfunction, coaching changes, failed draft picks, and heartbreak. Madison Square Garden remained basketball’s most famous arena, but championship basketball disappeared from Broadway.

Now, under head coach Mike Brown and led by Brunson’s fearless leadership, the Knicks have rewritten their history. New York has now won 11 consecutive playoff games — one of the greatest postseason streaks in NBA history.  

Meanwhile, Cleveland is left facing difficult offseason questions.

Despite strong performances from Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley throughout the postseason, the Cavaliers struggled offensively against New York’s defense and never found answers after the Game 1 collapse.  

By the fourth quarter Monday night, thousands of Knicks fans remaining inside the arena celebrated loudly while stunned Cavaliers supporters headed for the exits.

A season that once looked destined for Cleveland sports history instead became another painful chapter in the city’s long basketball heartbreak.

And in New York, a city starving for basketball glory, the celebration has finally begun again.  

The post Cleveland Lives Through Another Nightmare: Knicks Sweep Cavs, Return to NBA Finals After 27-Year Wait appeared first on Call and Post.

The lights were bright, the pressure enormous, and once again Donovan Mitchell delivered like a man determined to carve his name into Cleveland Cavaliers history.

In a breathtaking second-half explosion that electrified Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and sent Cavaliers fans into a frenzy, Mitchell erupted to lead Cleveland past the Detroit Pistons, 112-103, in a pivotal Game 4 playoff showdown.

The Cavaliers’ superstar guard not only carried the franchise on his shoulders — he etched his name into the record books in the process.

After a sluggish first half that saw Cleveland trailing and struggling offensively, Mitchell unleashed a relentless scoring barrage after intermission, slicing through Detroit defenders, burying deep three-pointers, attacking the rim, and igniting a Cavaliers avalanche that completely changed the game’s momentum.

By the final buzzer, the crowd stood roaring as Mitchell finished with another legendary playoff performance, further cementing himself among the greatest postseason players ever to wear a Cavaliers uniform.

“This is why Cleveland brought him here,” one fan shouted outside the arena. “Big moments. Big stage. Big heart.”

And Mitchell answered every call.

The Pistons appeared poised to steal momentum early, controlling stretches of the first half behind aggressive defense and physical play. Detroit’s young core attacked Cleveland with energy and confidence, frustrating the Cavaliers offense and silencing portions of the home crowd.

But championship-caliber players have a way of changing everything.

Midway through the third quarter, Mitchell ignited.

First came a deep three.

Then a steal and fast-break finish.

Then another jumper.

Then another.

Suddenly the building shook with playoff electricity as the Cavaliers ripped off a devastating scoring run that buried Detroit under a wave of momentum they could never recover from.

Mitchell’s fearless play energized the entire roster. Darius Garland pushed the tempo, Evan Mobley dominated the glass and protected the paint, while Jarrett Allen battled inside against Detroit’s physical front line.

By the fourth quarter, Cleveland’s defense tightened like a vice grip.

Every rebound became a war.

Every possession mattered.

And Mitchell continued delivering knockout blows.

The victory gives Cleveland a commanding edge in the series and sends a powerful message throughout the NBA: the Cavaliers are no longer simply a promising young team — they are becoming a legitimate championship threat.

The performance also added another unforgettable chapter to Cleveland’s rich postseason basketball history.

For years the city searched for a new playoff superstar capable of carrying the franchise after the LeBron James era. Donovan Mitchell is proving night after night he may be exactly that player.

His leadership, swagger, and ability to dominate under pressure have transformed the Cavaliers into one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

Inside the locker room, teammates praised Mitchell’s relentless will to win.

“He put us on his back,” one player said. “That’s what superstars do.”

Outside the arena, thousands of fans poured into downtown Cleveland streets celebrating the hard-fought victory, chanting “Let’s Go Cavs!” as car horns echoed through the night air.

Now, with momentum fully on their side, the Cavaliers move closer to advancing deeper into the playoffs — and perhaps closer to something Cleveland basketball fans have dreamed about once again:

Another championship run.

The post MITCHELL MAKES HISTORY – Cleveland Roars Back With 112-103 Playoff Victory appeared first on Call and Post.

What unfolded inside Cleveland City Council chambers on Monday evening, Jan. 12, was far more than a ceremonial recognition. It was a holy moment of ownership, affirmation, and collective pride—a city standing up to say, these are our children, and they are doing an extraordinary job.

The routine rhythm of legislation was replaced by joy, purpose, and promise as the chambers filled with the unmistakable red and black of the Glenville Tarblooders. Mayor Justin Bibb, Council President Blaine A. Griffin, members of Cleveland City Council—including Michael Polensek—and Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell gathered to honor the Glenville High School Football Team, fresh off their Division IV State Championship victory. This was not an accident or a fluke. This was the fruit of discipline, sacrifice, and vision—Glenville’s third state title in four years.

Scripture reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). What Cleveland witnessed was the evidence of training done right—by coaches, parents, educators, mentors, and a community that refused to let its young men fail.

As the musical group Footprints lifted their voices in harmony, the atmosphere shifted from formal to familial. Their melodies echoed against the high ceilings, turning City Hall into sacred ground. It was a reminder that celebration, when rooted in gratitude, becomes worship.

At the heart of it all stood Coach Ted Ginn Sr., a pillar in Glenville and a guardian of our sons, joined by his coaching staff and CMSD Athletic Director Desiree Powell. City leaders presented two commemorative plaques—one for Ginn Academy and one for Glenville High School—symbolizing unity, continuity, and shared responsibility. These plaques were not just for trophy cases; they were markers of a promise kept.

Ward 9 Councilman Kevin Conwell, a proud Glenville alumnus from the Class of 1979, looked out at the young men before him with knowing eyes. He spoke not only as an elected official, but as someone shaped by the same streets, classrooms, and expectations.

“It makes the whole city and the community very proud,” Conwell said, noting that yard signs celebrating the Tarblooders would soon rise across Glenville like declarations of hope.

But this night was not only about football. It was about destiny. Conwell offered wisdom grounded in truth and love.

“All of you won’t make the NFL,” he said. “But you can stay connected to sports. Learn the systems. Learn leadership. Build careers.”

That message echoed the Word: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord—plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). These young men were reminded that their value does not end at the goal line.

Coach Ginn has long understood that championships are outcomes, not objectives. The real work is shaping character, instilling discipline, and teaching accountability. As Scripture declares, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Glenville is reaping what it has faithfully sown.

As the ceremony concluded, one message rang clear throughout the chambers: Cleveland must take ownership of its children—not only when they win, but every step of the way. When a community wraps its arms around its youth, greatness follows.

Coach Ted Ginn Sr. is not just building football players. He is building men. And Glenville’s victory is not only etched in record books—it is written on hearts, carried into classrooms, and destined to shape the future of this city.

These are our kids. And they are winning—on the field, in life, and in purpose.

The post The Heart of Glenville: Taking Ownership of Our Champions appeared first on Call and Post.

Rayshawn “RCCares” Craddock

THE GOOD:

The Cleveland Browns are looking for a new head football coach. It’s an extensive search going on to find the right fit.  

Here is the list of candidates:

Jim Schwartz-Browns (Defensive Coordinator)

Tommy Rees- Browns (Offensive Coordinator)

Todd Monken- Ravens (Offensive Coordinator)

Aden Durde- Seahawks (Defensive Coordinator)

Dan Pitcher- Bengals (Offensive Coordinator)

Jesse Minter- Chargers (Defensive Coordinator)

John Harbaugh- Former Ravens Head coach 

Mike McDaniel- Former Dolphins Head coach 

The Browns have ten draft picks, four in the top 100.

Rookies that stood out:

Shedeur Sanders QB finished (3-4)

1400 yards passing 7 touchdowns 10 interceptions

Quinshon “CONJUNCTION CONJUNCTION WHAT’S THE MALFUNCTION” Judkins RB

827 yards rushing 7 touchdowns 

Harold “WHERE THEM FANS AT” Fannin TE

72 receptions 731 yards 6 touchdowns 

Carson “I CAN’T PRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME ” Schwesinger LB

157 tackles 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions 

Mason Graham DT

49 tackles 0.5 sack

Andre “ALLLLLLLL” Szmyt K

24-27 FG 25-26 extra points 5-6 on FG’s 50 or more yards

  The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Indiana 120-116 and Minnesota 146-134.  The Cavaliers are now 22-18. Donovan Mitchell did not play against the Pacers. Darius Garland finished with 29 points and six assists. Jarrett Allen notched a double-double  scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and 8 assists. Cavs scored 66 points off the bench in the two victories. Mitchell is leading the Cavs in scoring 30.7 points per game.

THE BAD:

​The Browns missed the playoffs again and in need for a new coach to take lead. Jerry Jeudy underperformed this past season. Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and 2 touchdowns. He dropped  more passes than T-Mobile calls in a bad service area. Offensively the Browns currently have more holes to fill than a pack of swiss cheese. 

Offensive rankings so bad it would give the tv show “Homeboys From Outer Space” a run for their money.

Points per game: 16.4 (31st)

Yards per game: 282 (31st)

Third down efficiency  33.6% (29th)

It’s 32 teams in the NFL!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cavaliers lost to Minnesota 131-122.  The Cavs defense refuse to defend. The Timberwolves  shot  58% from the field and 53% from the three-point line. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points eight assists and  seven rebounds in a losing effort. The Cavs played without Max Strus and almost fully healthy. 

​

 THE GREAT:

John Adams Rebels boys basketball team led by Devon Robinson are off to a fast start sporting a record of (4-3 4-2). The Rebels coming off a 67-55 victory over Collinwood. In the victory over the Railroaders, DeLante Warner led the way with 36 points. Jamarion  Vance collected 19 points and Delontae Mathews scored 11. 

John Marshall Lawyers  (5-1 5-7) led by head coach Dontrell Graham defeated the JFK Eagles 53-51 in a buzzard beating fashion.

A team to watch in The Senate Athletic League is the Garrett Morgan Falcons (8-4 5-1). The Falcons are led by Isiah Hickman and Darrius Chappell. Hickman is averaging 20 points a game along with four steals and assists per game. His partner in crime Chappell is flirting with averaging a double-double scoring 15 points per game and 8 rebounds.

John Hay Lady Hornets took care of the Lady Tarblooders scoring 88 points. The Lady Hornets got major contributions from:

Jordynn Webb 22 pts 

Carly Fisher 18 points, 5 steals and 4 assists

Sana Hicks 12 points and 5 steals

Shamar King 12 points

 If you free this Tuesday grab your popcorn and soft drink and head to the John Hay Lady Hornets (4-0 9-3) vs. John Marshall Lady Lawyers (5-0 11-1) 7pm at John Hay high school. 

The post The Good The Bad The Great: appeared first on Call and Post.

CLEVELAND — The search for the next head coach is officially underway, and optimism is once again rising among fans as the organization works to chart a new course. Team officials confirmed this week that multiple candidates are being interviewed for the head coaching vacancy, with Mike McDaniel, former Miami Dolphins head coach, scheduled to sit down with leadership as part of the process.

Owner Jimmy Haslam has made it clear that this decision carries added weight. After years of high expectations, near-misses, and frustration for a loyal fan base, Haslam is attempting to get it right for the fans—many of whom have stood by the team through constant change and unmet promise. League sources say Haslam is taking a hands-on approach, emphasizing leadership, culture, and long-term stability over quick fixes.

McDaniel’s anticipated interview has already sparked conversation across the city. Known for his offensive creativity and player-first approach, he represents the type of modern coaching mind the organization is reportedly prioritizing. Team insiders stress, however, that no decision has been made and that the search remains comprehensive, with several qualified candidates expected to be considered.

“This is about more than wins and losses,” one source close to the process said. “It’s about restoring confidence, accountability, and pride—both in the locker room and in the stands.”

As interviews continue, fans are watching closely, hopeful that this moment marks a true turning point. For Haslam and the organization, the message is clear: the stakes are high, the patience of the fan base is thin, and the time to get it right is now.

The post Haslam & The Browns Signal Fresh Start as Coaching Search Intensifies appeared first on Call and Post.

C&P Newswire

CLEVELAND — After months of tense legal wrangling and public drama, the Cleveland Browns and the City of Cleveland have reached a landmark settlement that clears the way for the team to build a new domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio — and formally demolish their current downtown lakefront home. The agreement ends a bitter dispute over state law restrictions and reshapes the future of Cleveland’s lakefront and its most iconic sports franchise. 

What the Deal Includes

• The Haslam Sports Group will pay the city $25 million by December 1, 2025. 
• Once the Browns’ stadium lease ends after the 2028 season, the club will demolish the current stadium — estimated demolition cost: $30 million — and leave the site “pad-ready” for future development. 
• Beginning January 1, 2029, the Browns will make annual payments of $5 million through 2033 — a total of $25 million over five years. 
• Additionally, over the 10 years following lease termination, Haslam Sports Group agrees to invest at least $2 million per year into mutually agreed community-benefit projects (totaling no less than $20 million). 
• The city will voluntarily drop all litigation related to the move, and both parties will cooperate on future infrastructure and development plans tied to the stadium’s relocation and downtown redevelopment. 

Background: What Fueled the Dispute

The legal conflict began after the Browns — owned by Haslam Sports Group — announced plans to leave downtown Cleveland after the 2028 season and build a new stadium in Brook Park. The city responded by invoking the state’s Art Modell Law, a statute designed to prevent sports franchises from abandoning publicly subsidized facilities without giving the city or local buyers a chance to keep them. 

The Browns counter-sued, arguing relocation within the state should be allowed. As the dispute played out, state lawmakers amended the Modell Law and approved up to $600 million in public funding drawn from unclaimed-state funds for the Brook Park stadium project — weakening Cleveland’s legal hold and shifting momentum back to the team. 

What’s Next — For Brook Park and Downtown Cleveland

With the settlement finalized, construction planning for the new stadium in Brook Park is expected to move forward quickly, with ground-breaking targeted for 2026 and potential opening in 2029. 

Meanwhile, the deal paves the way for a massive transformation of Cleveland’s lakefront: the vacated downtown stadium site will be redeveloped, offering the city a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine public space, waterfront access, and mixed-use development — part of a broader vision for revival. 

Proponents of the deal hail it as a win-win: the Browns get a modern, state-of-the-art facility; Cleveland gains $100 million in commitments plus long-term community investment; and Brook Park and surrounding suburbs may benefit from a new entertainment hub. 

The Trade-Offs — What the Deal Costs Cleveland

Critics warn the move marks a departure from the Browns’ legacy downtown and warn of economic ripple effects. According to a city fiscal impact analysis, Cleveland stands to lose tens of millions annually in direct and indirect economic output, lost jobs tied to stadium operations, lost downtown tax and stadium-event revenue, and diminished visitor spending. 

Losses are not limited to revenue — some fear emptying the waterfront area of its central sports draw could slow revival, hamper small businesses reliant on game-day traffic, and undermine long-term downtown recovery efforts. 

Still, city leaders say they view the clearance of the old stadium as a “once-in-a-generation” chance to remake the lakefront for broader public benefit, residential growth, green space, and mixed-use development. 

What This Means for Fans, Residents, and the Region

For fans: the Browns are officially “cleared to build” a new stadium outside the city — meaning tailgates, game-day traffic, and fan experience may shift substantially by 2029.

For downtown and neighborhoods near the lakefront: a period of transition awaits — demolition, redevelopment, potential new public and private projects, and hope for renewed lakefront vitality.

For the region: the Brook Park plan could spark new jobs, infrastructure expansion, and revitalization of under-utilized land, but also comes with uncertainty about long-term economic impacts on Cleveland’s core.

The Call & Post will continue tracking this transformative story — from stadium demolition timelines to groundbreaking in Brook Park, lakefront redevelopment plans, and the ongoing economic consequences for Cleveland and its neighborhoods.

The post Browns, City Reach $100 Million Settlement, Brook Park Stadium Move Green-Lighted appeared first on Call and Post.

 The Cleveland Browns snapped a three-game skid Sunday with a much-needed 24–10 victory, powered by the poised and promising NFL debut of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The young signal-caller threw for 209 yards, notched a touchdown, and became the first Browns rookie since 1995 to win in his debut — a milestone that should have dominated postgame headlines and locker-room celebration.

Instead, the national conversation has shifted to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s surprisingly lukewarm recognition of Sanders’ breakthrough performance.

In a postgame speech where Stefanski praised nearly every player group — even offering a fiery, profanity-laced tribute to defensive anchor Myles Garrett — Sanders received only a passing mention. No acknowledgment of his history-making debut. No reflection on his composure. No public affirmation of a young man who stepped into the fire and delivered.

For many Browns fans and analysts, this wasn’t just a missed moment — it was an unmistakable signal of hesitation, even discomfort, from the head coach on a night when the rookie quarterback proved he belonged on the NFL stage.

A Rookie Steps Up — While His Coach Looks Away

Sanders played with command, confidence, and maturity beyond his years, leading a disciplined offensive attack and stabilizing a team desperate for momentum. His debut wasn’t perfect — his interception reminded everyone he’s still developing — but his leadership was steady, resilient, and rooted in preparation.

Yet the coach who should have been his loudest champion chose restraint. That apparent lack of enthusiasm has many in the league asking: Why?

Was it loyalty to incumbent QB Dillon Gabriel, expected to return from concussion protocol soon? Was it fear of sparking a quarterback controversy? Or was it simply an emotional misread — a coach caught in the chaos, failing to seize the moment?

Regardless, the silence was deafening.

Faith, Favor, and the Power of Preparation

Those who know Sanders, however, know he doesn’t rely on praise to fuel his drive. What guides him is something deeper — a faith-driven mindset instilled long before he entered the NFL.

For Sanders, Sunday’s victory wasn’t luck. It wasn’t circumstance. It was the result of discipline, humility, and belief — belief in himself, belief in the moment, and belief in the purpose he carries every time he steps onto the field.

In a league where opportunity is scarce and pressure is relentless, Sanders stands as a testament to what faith can do when coupled with hard work. His performance showed that faith is not passive — it prepares you. It positions you. It steadies your hand when the world shakes.

Sunday night, his faith showed up. Loudly. Even if his coach did not.

A Quarterback Question the Browns Can No Longer Avoid

Stefanski dodged all questions about the starting quarterback role after the game, saying he wasn’t ready to discuss it publicly. The team has repeatedly stated that Gabriel would reclaim the job when healthy.

But the reality on the ground has shifted. Sanders won on the road, in pressure, with poise — something this franchise has not seen consistently in decades. He energized teammates and altered the momentum of an entire season.

Whether Stefanski wants the conversation or not, one now exists — and its tone is being shaped not by the coach, but by Sanders’ performance and the city’s reaction.

A Moment Bigger Than Football

This isn’t just about play calls or depth charts. It’s about recognition. It’s about opportunity. And it’s about giving credit to a young athlete who proved that when preparation meets faith, a door can open no coach can shut.

Shedeur Sanders earned more than a brief mention.

He earned respect.

He earned acknowledgment.

And no matter how muted Sunday’s locker-room speech may have been, the message from Cleveland — and the league — is loud and clear:

Faith put Sanders in position to succeed. His performance ensured he stayed there.

The Browns now have a decision to make. And this time, no one will overlook the young man at the center of it.

The post Sanders Delivers Historic Win but Coach’s Tepid Praise Sparks Outrage and Raises Bigger Questions about Faith, Leadership, and Opportunity appeared first on Call and Post.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Tensions boiled over Monday as Cleveland City Council publicly challenged Mayor Justin Bibb’s newly announced $100 million deal with Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, questioning whether the city is truly coming out ahead. 

The agreement, announced on October 13, 2025, resolves longstanding lawsuits between the city and the Haslam Sports Group. Under the settlement, the Haslams will pay Cleveland $25 million upfront by December 1, fund the demolition of the downtown Huntington Bank Field, and provide tens of millions more over the next 15 years for community benefits and lakefront redevelopment. 

But some members of City Council are far from sold. At a marathon three-hour hearing, Councilman Mike Polensek called the deal a raw deal for taxpayers: “At the end of this deal we wind up with nothing,” he said. 

Brian Kazy, another vocal critic, went further — accusing the mayor of abandoning the city’s interests in favor of the Browns. Kazy told reporters Bibb had “lied with the dogs … and now has fleas.”  He even floated a symbolic — and provocative — resolution: demanding that owner Jimmy Haslam drop the “Cleveland” name and instead call the franchise the “Brook Park Browns.” 

Council President Blaine Griffin, who is leading the review, has said this is the public’s opportunity to get a full breakdown of the deal, especially around how the $100 million will be spent.  Several council members have pushed the administration to provide a full accounting of how much Cleveland has spent supporting the Browns over the years — and whether this payout adequately compensates for that history. 

Mayor Bibb defended the agreement vigorously. He told council members he negotiated “like hell” but that he believed the city had little leverage — warning that without a deal, the Browns might leave downtown entirely after their lease expires in 2028.  Bibb argued that the settlement protects Cleveland taxpayers more than a drawn-out legal battle would, particularly given changes in state law and financial realities. 

Law Director Mark Griffin echoed those concerns, saying that even if the city had won the lawsuits, there was no guarantee the Browns would remain after 2028. “There was no way for us to force them to stay in Cleveland beyond 2029,” he said. 

Still, council members worry about the long-term consequences: Kris Harsh raised the specter that working-class Clevelanders may be shut out of future Browns games if ticket prices rise under a new stadium in Brook Park. 

Others expressed a deeper sense of loss. Kazy, balking at the downtown Browns departure, said, “Common sense tells you, let her go … but your heart tells you … that team belongs in the City of Cleveland.” 

The settlement must now be approved by City Council — with a deadline looming on November 24.  If approval doesn’t come through, the $25 million initial payment could be delayed, according to city officials. 

In the meantime, some lawsuits remain active, including a city suit under the Modell Law and others related to the team’s lease. 

As the debate continues, Clevelanders are left asking whether the $100 million is a genuine win — or a concession that comes at too steep a cost for the soul of the city.

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