Art Modell
The owner who brought professional football back to Baltimore as an expansion team in 1996.
Arthur Bertram Modell (June 23, 1925 – September 6, 2012) was the American businessman who established the Baltimore Ravens franchise after owning the Cleveland Browns for 35 years. Following a controversial relocation attempt in 1995, he retained all personnel contracts and reconstituted his organization as an officially recognized 1996 expansion team in Baltimore. He owned this new franchise for eight years, earning praise in Baltimore for returning football to the city after the Colts departed, though he remains a contentious figure in Cleveland due to the move.
- Role
- Original Franchise Owner
- Previous Team
- Cleveland Browns
- Status
- Deceased
- Key Action
- Relocation of the franchise to Baltimore
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Modell's path to Baltimore began with his ownership of the Cleveland Browns starting in 1961. After a period of success that included winning the 1964 NFL Championship Game against the Baltimore Colts, Modell faced widespread scorn in 1995 when he attempted to relocate the franchise. Under an NFL-brokered settlement, he left the Browns' name and heritage in Cleveland, which assumed a new team in 1999. In exchange, Modell kept the contracts of all Browns personnel and moved his organization to Baltimore. The Ravens officially entered the league as a 1996 expansion team, marking the city's return to professional football after the departure of the Colts.
In Their Own Story
The decision to move the franchise was driven by disputes over Cleveland Stadium and the construction of a replacement facility, which became a central point of contention during Modell's later years in Ohio. While initially popular in Cleveland for his community involvement and efforts to improve the team, the firing of Paul Brown and the release of Jim Brown had already strained relations. The 1995 announcement to relocate to Baltimore drew intense criticism, yet the deal allowed him to retain every player and staff member. This unique settlement meant the Ravens were not merely a new franchise but a direct continuation of the Browns' roster under a new banner, effectively transplanting the team's operations while leaving its history behind in Cleveland.
Reader's Guide
Understanding Modell's impact requires distinguishing between his two tenures: the 35-year ownership of the Browns and the eight-year run with the Ravens. In Baltimore, he is celebrated for restoring the NFL presence to the city, contrasting sharply with his legacy in Cleveland where the relocation remains a sore point. Fans should note that the Ravens' official status as an expansion team dates to 1996, even though the personnel were veterans from the previous Cleveland squad.
Did You Know?
- Modell owned the Cleveland Browns for 35 years before establishing the Baltimore Ravens, which he owned for eight years.
- Under the terms of the relocation settlement, Modell retained the contracts of all Browns personnel when moving to Baltimore.
- The Baltimore Ravens are officially recognized by the NFL as a 1996 expansion team.
- Modell was born in Brooklyn, New York, and left high school at age 15 to help support his family after his father died.
- In Cleveland, Modell served as NFL President from 1967 to 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Art Modell?
Art Modell was the original owner of the Baltimore Ravens and the visionary who brought professional football back to Maryland in 1996. He previously owned the Cleveland Browns before making the controversial decision to relocate his franchise south.
What role did Art Modell play in the team's history?
As the founding owner, Modell was responsible for establishing the Ravens as an expansion team and setting the organization's initial direction. His leadership marked the end of a decade-long absence of NFL football in Baltimore.
Why is Art Modell considered controversial?
Modell remains a divisive figure because he moved his championship-winning Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore instead of keeping it in Ohio. This relocation sparked intense anger among Cleveland fans while simultaneously saving professional sports for Maryland.
How did Art Modell's story end with the Ravens?
After leading the team through its early years, Modell sold the franchise in 2004 and passed away shortly thereafter in 2013. His legacy is defined by the complex duality of creating a new Baltimore dynasty while dismantling an old Cleveland one.
Why is Art Modell important to the Ravens' existence?
Without Modell's decision to move his team to Baltimore, there would be no Ravens franchise today. He transformed the city's sports landscape by ending its NFL drought and establishing a new era of football in Maryland.
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