Columbus, Ohio, reps "trying to broker a deal" that would make the city a "long-term home" to Browns training camp, according to Tom Reed of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Sources said that city officials are "hoping to secure an agreement enabling them to host a portion of camp for a five- to 10-year stretch." If a deal is struck, it is "unclear whether the Browns would hold part of camp in Columbus next year." The city's contingent is "more focused on completing a pact that would see the club move into a new multi-purpose facility financed by public and private dollars" in '17. Sources said that Columbus officials "remain confident of wooing the Browns, but it might take up to six months to announce the deal." The Browns have been "strengthening their ties" with Columbus since they named Alec Scheiner team President in '12. Central Ohio represents an NFL "battleground market, one within 185 miles" of four franchises -- the Browns, Bengals, Steelers and Colts. Meanwhile, the Browns will conduct their intra-squad scrimmage Friday night at Ohio State Univ.'s Ohio Stadium, and the team "capped online registration for free tickets to the scrimmage at 60,000." All "were claimed in June." The club yesterday "announced it released 10,000 additional tickets to fans who had signed up on a waiting list" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/5).
THINK GLOBAL, DRINK LOCAL: In Columbus, Dan Eaton reported FirstEnergy Stadium "will begin serving 16-ounce cans of beer from nine brewers around the state, including Central Ohio's Hoof Hearted Brewing Co. and Elevator Brewing Co." It is a "relationship arranged by Amherst-based Buckeye Canning LLC and Aramark." In the arrangement, Aramark "buys the beer from the breweries and Buckeye Canning organizes and transports it" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/4).
