Reps for the Indians and Cavaliers were "circumspect when asked last week about extending their leases," according to Jay Miller of CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS. After Cuyahoga County residents voted to continue a sin tax benefiting sports facilities, the teams have yet to "show the same commitment" by agreeing to "stay in Cleveland, at least during the 20 years the county's smokers and drinkers are paying the sin tax." Cuyahoga County Chief of Staff Matt Carroll, also a member of the Gateway Economic Development Corp. of Greater Cleveland BOD, was "willing to say only that discussions about lease renewals could come up as Gateway and the teams plot plans for the buildings' futures." Indians Exec VP/Business Dennis Lehman in a statement said, "We have a multi-year plan that we've previously presented to county council and while conversations with Gateway have taken place, we will also be formally presenting to Gateway in coming months." Cavaliers President Len Komoroski "wouldn't speculate on future lease negotiations and said the team has one of the longer leases in the NBA." Meanwhile, the Browns are "signed to play at FirstEnergy Stadium" through the '29 NFL season. Gateway Economic Development Corp. Chair Tim Offtermatt said, "This (the lease extensions) are not an issue. My view has been that these are public buildings and we certainly have a better chance of keeping all three teams or even other tenants or users of the buildings if the buildings are in good shape" (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 5/12 issue).
