Cleveland leaders now have a billionaire they feel they can worship in good conscience.

State of play: It's Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. His investments downtown are being celebrated and painted in stark contrast to the Haslams' impending Browns move.

Driving the news: That was the subtext from elected leaders who spoke at a "topping off" ceremony for the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center this week.

• Leaders also praised the nearly 200 tradespeople who erected in nine months the structural frame for the riverfront building that will become the Cavs main training facility.
• It'll open in 2027 as part of the first phase in Gilbert's $3.5 billion riverfront master plan.

What they're saying: "Give it up for Dan Gilbert," Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said in coaxing the crowd into a round of applause.

• "He's a guy who gets it, who understands the importance of reinvesting in downtown."

Zoom in: Ronayne, Mayor Justin Bibb and others touted two other high-profile, Gilbert-led "wins" for Cleveland:

• A new WNBA franchise, slated to launch in 2028.
• And the announced Rock Block development north of Rocket Arena, to be anchored by the immersive sports bar concept Cosm.

Between the lines: The downtown Cosm is an extra-sweet victory for the Gilbert-aligned camp, as the Haslams had pursued the sports bar for their planned Brook Park development adjacent to a new stadium.

• As NEOtrans reported, a Cosm location appeared in renderings of the new stadium site.

Follow the money: Cavs CEO Nic Barlage said Gilbert's investments in local sports and entertainment infrastructure will total more than $1.1 billion after the WNBA franchise arrives and the Peak Performance Center is complete.

Reality check: Those investments are subsidized by taxpayers in the form of tax breaks, tax credits, tax increment financing, lopsided lease agreements and other handouts.

The bottom line: After criticizing the Haslams for having "abandoned" Cleveland," leaders have turned Gilbert into a hero for staying.

The Cavs lost an electric bench scorer and a defense-first wing, but gained a reliable veteran point guard and a locker room leader during NBA free agency.

Why it matters: The Cavs have one of the most expensive rosters in the league. Navigating the NBA's salary cap restrictions has become a tight-rope act for front offices.

• The Cavs' core rotation is intact (for now). This offseason was about filling out the supporting cast with limited resources after a disappointing postseason exit.

Zoom in: The Cavs traded Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for point guard Lonzo Ball.

• The move accomplished two things: saving money and replacing Ty Jerome, who went to the Memphis Grizzlies.

On the fringes, the Cavs re-signed sharpshooter Sam Merrill, locked in 2025 second-round pick Tyrese Proctor on a four-year rookie contract and signed free agent Larry Nance Jr. to a veteran-minimum deal.

• This will be Jr.'s second tour of duty with the Cavs, and he's overjoyed to be back.

😬 Between the lines: It's do or die time.

• Due to financial penalties for teams that remain over the luxury tax threshold, this may be the final season where it's possible to keep all four of the team's best players — Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

What we're watching: NBA Summer League, which starts today in Las Vegas.

⚖️ Cuyahoga County Judge Hollie Gallagher has sentenced former East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King to three years probation and barred him from public office for life for multiple corruption-related felonies.

• Prosecutor Michael O'Malley, whose office sought jail time for King, called the sentence "disgraceful." (Cleveland.com)

🔒 Gregory Moore, charged with murdering Aliza Sherman in 2013, has been placed on GPS monitoring after posting bond in Cleveland last week. (WKYC)

🥢 PHOTOS: The Japanese tapas-style restaurant Kyuu-juu opens July 18 in Ohio City. (Cleveland Scene)

💰 The day after the Browns secured $600 million from the Ohio budget for a proposed Brook Park stadium, co-owner Dee Haslam purchased a mansion in North Palm Beach, Florida for $25 million. (The Real Deal 🔒)

Vintage gear, throwback 2000s jams and Cleveland Heights' annual arts showcase top your list of weekend festivities.

🏮 Asian Lantern Festival

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's annual illuminating extravaganza is live through Aug. 24 with a variety of themed light displays.

• Tickets start at $24 for zoo members, $27 for non-members.

🎵 Pop 2000 Tour

House of Blues is tearing up your heart with members of NSYNC, O-Town and others performing their boyband hits from the early 2000s at 6pm tonight.

• Tickets start at $53.

👕 Ohio Vintage Festival

The vendor showcase at Huntington Convention Center on Saturday is the perfect place to find that old-school tee or quirky hat you rocked in the 1990s.

• Noon to 5pm; admission is $5.

🎨 Cain Park Arts Festival

The 48th annual event in Cleveland Heights showcases more than 100 artists tomorrow through Sunday.

• Admission is free.

Thinking about heading to a Guardians game? It isn't cheap, but it will cost you less than most other cities.

Driving the news: Analysis by sports betting data and analysis site Action Network found that taking a group of four to a Guardians game at Progressive Field costs about $399.

• That price includes a two-night Airbnb stay, game tickets, beer, parking, public transport and meals.

Reality check: Of course, the price drops if you don't intend to stay downtown overnight.

• The average cost of a two-night Airbnb stay in Cleveland is about $269, according to Action Network.

The big picture: The price for attending a Guardians game is the eighth lowest among 30 MLB teams.