Browns step closer to leaving downtown; Royals closer to moving downtown
Pacers win. U.S. Open underway. No Kidd for Knicks. Lemieux wants to buy back Penguins
Good morning, all!
Sports stories are breaking all over the place this morning. Let’s start with the Cleveland Browns, who want to leave downtown Cleveland and move to the burbs in a new dome stadium.
The Ohio senate has passed a new budget that includes $600M towards the Browns Brooke Park Stadium proposal. The bill now heads to committee for reconciliation. For diehard Browns fans who want the team to stay downtown, the approval comes 85 years and one day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his speech at the University of Virginia, lambasting Italy for declaring war on France. “The hand that held the dagger has struck it into the back of its neighbor,” FDR stated. I’m sure that’s how opponents of a stadium in the burbs feel about the Ohio legislature this morning.
Meanwhile, as I wrote yesterday, Missouri was close to helping fund a new downtown Kansas City ballpark for the Royals and a massive stadium renovation for the Chiefs, with a bill passed by the state senate. Following contentious debate on Wednesday, the state house passed the same bill and the governor is expected to sign it. Both franchises have now received what they wanted from the state, but next door Kansas is still attempting to woo the clubs to move across the state line. By the way, reaction to the Royals moving to downtown is mixed.
Lemieux wants team back
Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux wants to buy back the team he once owned, according to a report. Lemieux sold the team to the Fenway Sports Group, owner of the Boston Red Sox. FSG says the NHL franchise is not for sale.
Pacers make a statement
All those waiting to crown the Oklahoma City Thunder as NBA champs will have to wait. The underdog Indiana Pacers, in quest of their first title since moving to the NBA from the old ABA, have struck again. The Pacers downed OKC, 116-107, Wednesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series. Game 4 is Friday night, back home in Indiana.
U.S. Open underway
The 125th U.S. Open is underway at historic Oakmont in suburban Pittsburgh. Scottie Scheffler is favored to win. Bryson DeChambeau is a supposed top 10 lock and Keegan Bradley is considered a sleeper, according to oddsmakers. I am picking DeChambeau. Here are the latest odds.
Here are some other DAN ON SPORTS top stories for Thursday, June 12, 2025:
U.S. Open in search of new TV deal
Game 4 of Stanley Cup Finals tonight. Panthers up 2-1. TV ratings in the dumper
Atlanta ready for NHL expansion team
Niners McCaffrey says he’s ready
Mavs say “No” to Knicks about Kidd as coach
Sorry Cubs fans. Pope wears White Sox cap
Buxton clubs 479-foot HR; makes spectacular catch
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DAN