Lots of talk this week about the possible new dome for the Browns in Brook Park, and leaving the lakefront for good. I wrote about this a few months ago, (It’s Gonna Happen) and it’s looking more and more like the old Ford Casting and Engine Plant property will be the Browns new home. That has many very happy, and others wishing for the Good Ol’ Days. There have been almost none of the latter there in a long time.
When you think about it, here’s the part of the Dome that becomes very clear. It’s better watching conditions, it can host more events year round, the parking will be better as will access to it. All of that is fact and 100% undeniable to the most ardent fan against the dome. But this is what’s most important, this is what the owner wants. That’s the cold reality of it. He’s a billionaire, and wants to invest in this area and make his stand here. AND he wants what many of the NFL owners have, he wants a palace of his own. Look at Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. “Jerry’s World” and there are others. Atlanta, Los Angeles, Arizona, Vegas, and more that are older. He want’s his own place.
He doesn’t want to host his colleagues, the commissioner, dignitaries and others from the frosted lakefront with lousy parking at a stadium which sadly, is among the worst in the NFL built in haste. He wants his team – in his building, and being honest, I can’t blame him. Before I go on, I have no idea how this gets paid for, as that’s not the focus of this writing. Somehow, it will get paid for, I’m just not sure who pays how much. But it will, and the Browns and countless other events, like a Superbowl will have a new home. It will be used a ton.
It will be beautiful and fans will enjoy it, like I stated in my article, (People Are Different) a couple months ago. There will be some fans kicking and screaming till the end yelling this is the wrong move. Yes, some businesses will be affected, as that can’t be avoided, and yes it will not be like it used to be. But as the owner, I think the latter is exactly what he wants. In addition to his own palace, I do think he wants a total fresh start for his team and erase the bad taste that 25 year old stadium has to it. And I feel he understands very well the future that’s coming. It’s very hard to get marquee players to come here now, and that will only get worse. So indoors, warm and dry is preferable to the dreary lakefront. Because for many of them, it’s about the lifestyle and not the team itself, bacause the money is so huge now, that really isn’t an issue anymore.
As much as this is our wonmderful home, this is the reality of our area still for many who have never been here. It’s not Miami, or LA, San Fran, Tampa, or Vegas. It doesn’t have the Superbowl history of Pittsburgh, the glitz of New York, or the glamour of Dallas. To be competitive, you must be – competitive in that regard.
Hard to dispute the drawings and video of the new Dome are impressive, and so will be the price tag of building it and attending games there. There will be extreme sticker shock in every regard for fans, there is no doubt about that for parking, attending and eating there. And many will be very turned off by that, as many are right now at the current stadium. But it’s gonna happen. It’s like the boyfriend or girlfriend that dumped you in high school for someone new. You’re really nice, but – “It’s not you, it’s me…..” That’s where we are with this.
GO BROWNS!
