Ken Lanci, a self-made millionaire who ran unsuccessfully last year for the top county government job in Cleveland, filed the lawsuit Thursday in Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH'-guh) County Common Pleas Court.
The lawsuit seeks damages of more than $25,000 from the Browns on both breach of contract and bad faith counts and more than $25,000 from the league and its teams for alleged contract interference.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league hasn't seen the lawsuit but understands Lanci's frustration. He says solution is for the union to return to the bargaining table.