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Browns' Brook Park stadium gets $200 million pricier

Despite the Haslams' larger contribution, taxpayers are still helping to fund a private stadium district.

Sports

The Browns&#x27; new stadium in Brook Park just got more expensive, and the Haslams want credit for taking on an increased slice of the funding pie.Driving the news: The price tag for the domed facility and its surrounding development has climbed to $2.6 billion, up from $2.4 billion. The Haslams said last week these increases are tied to roofing upgrades that will enhance the natural light.

Rock Hall's next milestone: A 21st-century artist

Pink could become the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee to have made their debut in 2000 or later.

News

The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class of 2026" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/12/rock-hall-predictions-2026-phil-collins-mariah-carey" data-vars-content-id="bdd21d78-cd2d-40f3-b159-af20c9d88748" data-vars-headline="Rock Hall&#x27;s next milestone: A 21st-century artist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/12/rock-hall-predictions-2026-phil-collins-mariah-carey" target="_self">class of 2026</a> will be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detpress.com/abc/pressrelease/american-idol-912-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-4-13/" data-vars-content-id="bdd21d78-cd2d-40f3-b159-af20c9d88748" data-vars-headline="Rock Hall&#x27;s next milestone: A 21st-century artist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detpress.com/abc/pressrelease/american-idol-912-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-4-13/" target="_blank">announced</a> on April 13, but it&#x27;s not too early to take a look further down the road.Why it matters: The Rock Hall has yet to induct an artist who made their debut in the 21st century.

What Cleveland can learn from Chicago's lakefront airport gamble

The demolition of Meigs Field offers a preview — and a warning — for Burke's future.

Cleveland can learn a lot about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redevelopment of a lakefront airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/30/burke-airport-redevelopment-concepts-golf" data-vars-content-id="35f93756-481c-4082-b613-078567a3a1ae" data-vars-headline="What Cleveland can learn from Chicago&#x27;s lakefront airport gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/30/burke-airport-redevelopment-concepts-golf" target="_self">redevelopment of a lakefront airport</a> from Chicago.Flashback: On March 30, 2003, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley sent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overnight bulldozers" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/3/31/23662485/miegs-field-airport-mayor-richard-daley-bulldozed-notherly-island-plane-march-2003" data-vars-content-id="35f93756-481c-4082-b613-078567a3a1ae" data-vars-headline="What Cleveland can learn from Chicago&#x27;s lakefront airport gamble" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/3/31/23662485/miegs-field-airport-mayor-richard-daley-bulldozed-notherly-island-plane-march-2003" target="_blank">overnight bulldozers</a> to destroy the landing strip at the city&#x27;s small downtown Meigs Field Airport.

Amtrak is exclusively a middle-of-the-night affair in Cleveland

All four daily departures are between 1:54am and 5:50am.

Transit

👋 Sam here — bona fide train enthusiast! <ul><li>I took the Amtrak to Chicago this week and was reminded what a pleasant way it is to travel. Who can deny the pleasures of generous legroom, low-cost tickets and up-close views of the United States? </li><li>Anyone who values a good night&#x27;s sleep, that&#x27;s who! </li></ul>

From parade to first pitch: Cleveland set for Guardians home opener

The Guardians take on the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field on Friday.

Nothing signals the start of spring like a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Guardians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/26/cleveland-guardians-2026-opening-day-preview" data-vars-content-id="4726b3cd-4b15-4ac7-94ab-6b5e4647a82f" data-vars-headline="From parade to first pitch: Cleveland set for Guardians home opener" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/03/26/cleveland-guardians-2026-opening-day-preview" target="_self">Guardians</a> home opener.Why it matters: Local fans get their first in-person look at the team, which is off to a decent start, as well as changes at Progressive Field.

Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools' Day joke for the ages

The people behind Cleveland's new WNBA team decided to have some fun with fans.

Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella company for the Cavaliers and Rocket Arena, has delivered one of the better April Fools&#x27; Day jokes in recent memory.Driving the news: On Wednesday, the company mock-unveiled the proposed name for Cleveland&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WNBA franchise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/30/wnba-franchise-launch-2028-rockers-ohio" data-vars-content-id="db97384a-8a4d-4d0e-9d1b-45f2a8650bd6" data-vars-headline="Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools&#x27; Day joke for the ages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/30/wnba-franchise-launch-2028-rockers-ohio" target="_self">WNBA franchise</a> — the Ohio Wolverines.State of laughs: Not only does the team feature the same nickname as the Ohio State rival Michigan Wolverines, but it also has the exact same color scheme.<figure><img alt="Dark navy background with large yellow OHIO above WOLVERINES; a yellow basketball arc sits over the text, and a small yellow wolverine mascot with a white cap appears below." height="972" id="6561c38b-145a-4d13-9e61-02fc65cf195d" src="https://images.axios.com/JdTVuVVR3KwIU4IjUxFpAErYDRg=/2026/04/01/1775052412515.png" width="1500"/><figcaption>Photo: Courtesy of Rock Entertainment Group</figcaption></figure>What they&#x27;re saying: In the spirit of April Fools, Allison Howard, Cleveland WNBA president of business operations, poured fuel on the fire.<ul><li>&quot;With all the polarization in politics and elsewhere in our country, we believe that ending a long-standing rivalry between Ohio and Michigan, which dates back many years, will serve as a great example of how people of different backgrounds and communities can come together despite a long history of conflict,&quot; she said in a statement.</li></ul>Between the lines: A press release also urges Detroit to name its recently awarded WNBA franchise the &quot;Michigan Buckeyes.&quot;<ul><li>Fans are jokingly encouraged to purchase merchandise via &quot;ohiowolverines.com,&quot; which doesn&#x27;t actually exist, using the code APRILFOOLS.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Cleveland&#x27;s WNBA franchise will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make its debut" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" data-vars-content-id="db97384a-8a4d-4d0e-9d1b-45f2a8650bd6" data-vars-headline="Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools&#x27; Day joke for the ages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/07/16/wnba-expansion-cleveland-detroit-philadelphia-league" target="_self">make its debut</a> in 2028.<ul><li>No word yet on an actual name, but they could revive the &quot;Cleveland Rockers&quot; — one of the WNBA&#x27;s original eight teams that played from 1997 to 2003 at Gund Arena.</li></ul>

Guardians are back — if you can stay awake

Cleveland opens the season in Seattle at 10:10pm ET, leaning on young bats to fix last year's low-octane offense.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Guardians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/11/guardians-spring-training-arizona-2026" data-vars-content-id="7979b90b-2b20-409b-b1f7-26653a9fcd2a" data-vars-headline="Guardians are back — if you can stay awake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/11/guardians-spring-training-arizona-2026" target="_self">Cleveland Guardians</a> open their 2026 season on the road Thursday night in Seattle.Why it matters: Snag an afternoon nap or chug an energy drink after dinner if you expect to stay awake for a game with a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first pitch at 10:10pm ET" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401814700/guardians-mariners" data-vars-content-id="7979b90b-2b20-409b-b1f7-26653a9fcd2a" data-vars-headline="Guardians are back — if you can stay awake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401814700/guardians-mariners" target="_blank">first pitch at 10:10pm ET</a>.

Ohio emerges as hotspot for girls' flag football boom

The number of teams in the state has grown from six schools in 2021 to more than 120 in 2026.

More women than ever are playing flag football, and Ohio may be the epicenter of it all.Why it matters: The NFL is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investing" data-vars-click-url="https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/nfl-clubs-approve-investment-in-new-professional-flag-football-league/" data-vars-content-id="fcb8ea3f-aba6-4981-997b-58228e70d4cb" data-vars-headline="Ohio emerges as hotspot for girls&#x27; flag football boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://operations.nfl.com/updates/the-game/nfl-clubs-approve-investment-in-new-professional-flag-football-league/" target="_blank">investing</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s flag" data-vars-click-url="https://www.femalesinflag.com/" data-vars-content-id="fcb8ea3f-aba6-4981-997b-58228e70d4cb" data-vars-headline="Ohio emerges as hotspot for girls&#x27; flag football boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.femalesinflag.com/" target="_blank">women&#x27;s flag</a> football, and the Olympics is planning the sport&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debut in 2028" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/16/olympics-2028-flag-football-baseball-cricket-los-angeles" data-vars-content-id="fcb8ea3f-aba6-4981-997b-58228e70d4cb" data-vars-headline="Ohio emerges as hotspot for girls&#x27; flag football boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/16/olympics-2028-flag-football-baseball-cricket-los-angeles" target="_self">debut in 2028</a>.

Don't bet on Ohio for Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce wedding

The prediction markets favor New York or Rhode Island as the location for the couple's nuptials.

Culture

Could one of the biggest pop culture events of 2026 take place in Ohio? Don&#x27;t bet on it.The intrigue: You can pretty much bet on anything these days, including where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will get married.

All the Ohio schools in the 2026 NCAA Tournaments

The Buckeyes and the RedHawks will send their men's and women's teams to the dance.

The Buckeyes, RedHawks, Zips and Raiders are going <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dancing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/28/ohio-state-ncaa-final-four-appearances-march-madness" data-vars-content-id="3bbda4a3-dcfe-4b77-87ae-1a98e987cf62" data-vars-headline="All the Ohio schools in the 2026 NCAA Tournaments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/28/ohio-state-ncaa-final-four-appearances-march-madness" target="_self">dancing</a>. State of play: Both the men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s teams from Ohio State University and Miami University, plus the men&#x27;s teams from the University of Akron and Wright State University will appear in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this year&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/bracket" data-vars-content-id="3bbda4a3-dcfe-4b77-87ae-1a98e987cf62" data-vars-headline="All the Ohio schools in the 2026 NCAA Tournaments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness-live/bracket" target="_blank">this year&#x27;s</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NCAA tournaments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-women/d1/2026" data-vars-content-id="3bbda4a3-dcfe-4b77-87ae-1a98e987cf62" data-vars-headline="All the Ohio schools in the 2026 NCAA Tournaments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/basketball-women/d1/2026" target="_blank">NCAA tournaments</a>.

Undefeated Miami headlines biggest MAC tourney in 25 years

The RedHawks enter the conference tournament as the only undefeated men's team in the country.

The biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MAC men&#x27;s basketball tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://getsomemaction.com/feature/MBB-2026" data-vars-content-id="8cc2eeef-e752-4781-b296-4581cb138757" data-vars-headline="Undefeated Miami headlines biggest MAC tourney in 25 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://getsomemaction.com/feature/MBB-2026" target="_blank">MAC men&#x27;s basketball tournament</a> in more than 25 years kicks off Thursday at Rocket Arena.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami University RedHawks&#x27;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/13/miami-ohio-undefeated-ncaa-mens-basketball" data-vars-content-id="8cc2eeef-e752-4781-b296-4581cb138757" data-vars-headline="Undefeated Miami headlines biggest MAC tourney in 25 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/02/13/miami-ohio-undefeated-ncaa-mens-basketball" target="_self">Miami University RedHawks&#x27;</a> undefeated run could land two teams from the Mid-American Conference in the men&#x27;s NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999.

New soccer team will be called "Forest City Cleveland"

Cleveland Soccer Group unveiled the identity after a yearlong design process involving over 3,000 fans.

Cleveland&#x27;s new men&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="professional soccer team" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/05/16/cleveland-soccer-group-renderings-downtown-womens-soccer-stadium" data-vars-content-id="dddc69b3-f537-4f8f-ac94-a79c6fdf01fd" data-vars-headline="New soccer team will be called &quot;Forest City Cleveland&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2024/05/16/cleveland-soccer-group-renderings-downtown-womens-soccer-stadium" target="_self">professional soccer team</a> has a name: Forest City Cleveland.Kicking the news: Set to begin play in the MLS NEXT Pro league in 2027, the club unveiled its brand identity Tuesday after a yearlong design process led by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Soccer Group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevelandprosoccer.com/" data-vars-content-id="dddc69b3-f537-4f8f-ac94-a79c6fdf01fd" data-vars-headline="New soccer team will be called &quot;Forest City Cleveland&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevelandprosoccer.com/" target="_blank">Cleveland Soccer Group</a>.

"Black History Month Jarrett Allen" is dominating the NBA

He has never looked greater in a Cavs uniform, and it couldn't come at a better time.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cavs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/22/cleveland-cavaliers-season-preview-2025-26" data-vars-content-id="13c16926-d53e-4bc7-a43e-6a4f54b92d59" data-vars-headline="&quot;Black History Month Jarrett Allen&quot; is dominating the NBA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/10/22/cleveland-cavaliers-season-preview-2025-26" target="_self">Cavs</a> center Jarrett Allen has assembled one of the most impressive statistical resumes across a calendar month in NBA history.Why it matters: &quot;Black History Month Jarrett Allen,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="so dubbed" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/spidadmitchell/status/2026839010723680647?s=20" data-vars-content-id="13c16926-d53e-4bc7-a43e-6a4f54b92d59" data-vars-headline="&quot;Black History Month Jarrett Allen&quot; is dominating the NBA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/spidadmitchell/status/2026839010723680647?s=20" target="_blank">so dubbed</a> by his teammates, is a far cry from the wilting playoff Allen for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whom the lights" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/SpinDavies/status/1651609306805010432?s=20" data-vars-content-id="13c16926-d53e-4bc7-a43e-6a4f54b92d59" data-vars-headline="&quot;Black History Month Jarrett Allen&quot; is dominating the NBA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/SpinDavies/status/1651609306805010432?s=20" target="_blank">whom the lights</a> were once too bright.

Sports 🏅

From parade to first pitch: Cleveland set for Guardians home opener

Browns' Brook Park stadium gets $200 million pricier

Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools' Day joke for the ages

Quote du jour: Deshaun Watson's "fresh start"

Guardians are back — if you can stay awake