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.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Arthur Bertram Modell

Born

23 June 1925

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.

Died

6 September 2012

Place of death

Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Occupation

NFL franchise owner
Cleveland Browns (1961–1996)
Baltimore Ravens (1996–2004)
Businessman

Children

2 (David Modell and John Modell)

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.

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 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.