Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
In 1975, Art Modell signed a 25-year lease for Cleveland Stadium that cost the city over $300,000 annually to operate. The deal gave Modell quasi-ownership of the stadium and allowed his company, Stadium Corporation, to pay annual rents starting at $150,000 before rising to $200,000. Modell promised never to move the Browns, yet he refused to share suite revenue with the Cleveland Indians who shared the venue. When the Indians moved to Jacobs Field in 1994, Suite revenues for the Browns plummeted sharply. Modell claimed losses of $21 million between 1993 and 1994 due to soaring player salaries and lost income streams. By 1983, Modell concluded he could not repay all debts before his lease expired. He attempted to transfer liability for personal bad loans to the organization, prompting a lawsuit from one minority partner. The financial strain grew as interest rates soared and operating costs escalated alongside franchise values. A $3 million payout from the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 proved woefully insufficient to clear growing debts. Modell's net worth remained meager compared to other NFL owners despite decades of influence.
On the 12th of December 1994, Modell told his board that a referendum to raise taxes would likely fail. He warned them that if the vote failed, he would have no choice but to move the team. Minority owner Al Lerner privately prodded Modell to contact John Moag, chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority. Moag had been told by the league that Baltimore would receive a team if a stadium was secured. In late July, Modell allowed Lerner to meet with Moag under the condition that Modell appeared uninterested in moving. Moag presented an offer for a new $220 million stadium if the Browns relocated. Negotiations continued in secret until September when Moag urged immediate action. On the 6th of September 1995, Lerner, Modell, and Moag met at Lerner's Midtown Manhattan office. Moag presented a memorandum of understanding identical to one offered to Cincinnati earlier that year. Modell signed the deal after being assured that Baltimore fans would hail him as a hero. Days later, Modell informed San Francisco 49ers president Carmen Policy of his decision. Policy tried to urge Modell to negotiate with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, but Modell rejected the suggestion. On the 6th of November 1995, Modell announced the move at Camden Yards during a press conference. The very next day, Cleveland voters approved a tax referendum to remodel Cleveland Stadium. Modell stated publicly that the bridge between him and Cleveland was burned.
The City of Cleveland sued Modell, the Browns, Stadium Corp, and Maryland officials on the 7th of November 1995. The lawsuit sought to enforce the lease requiring home games at Cleveland Stadium through 1998. Fans filed additional suits while the United States Congress held hearings on the matter. Comedian Drew Carey returned to Cleveland on the 26th of November 1995 to host Fan Jam in protest. A protest occurred during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, yet ABC declined to cover it. Fans wore hats reading Muck Fodell to express their anger. The team finished the season 5, 11, losing twice to expansion teams for the first time in modern history. Virtually all sponsors pulled support leaving Cleveland Stadium devoid of advertising. The final home game saw the Browns defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 26, 10. That broadcast was blacked out locally on WKYC though NBC aired extensive pregame coverage from Cleveland. Host Bob Costas noted the irony of Brooklyn native Modell moving a beloved franchise much like Walter O'Malley moved the Dodgers to Los Angeles. The emotional toll on Modell became evident years later when longtime general counsel Jim Bailey described him as an emotional wreck upon signing the memorandum.
After extensive talks, the NFL announced on the 9th of February 1996 that the Browns franchise would be deactivated for at least three years. The league granted Modell a new franchise for Baltimore as the 31st NFL team. Modell retained current player contracts and football personnel while replacing head coach Bill Belichick with Ted Marchibroda. The holding company name changed from Cleveland Browns Inc to Baltimore Ravens Inc. The reactivated Cleveland team would retain the Browns name, colors, history, records, awards, and archives. League owners approved the deal by a 25, 2 vote with three abstentions. Ralph Wilson of Buffalo and Dan Rooney of Pittsburgh cast no votes against the measure. Raiders owner Al Davis abstained despite public clashes over franchise moves. The settlement allowed Modell to effectively transfer the existing organization to the Ravens without merging identities. This arrangement mirrored how Carroll Rosenbloom handled the Dallas Texans in 1953. The Browns were placed in a division with the Steelers and Bengals to maintain rivalries. The NFL ordered broadcast partners to air games featuring the Bengals and Steelers during the suspension period. Two official secondary markets Columbus and Youngstown aired games from teams sharing those markets.
Focus groups reduced an initial list of over 100 names to six before a fan contest drew 33,288 voters who chose Ravens. The new team adopted purple and black colors contrasting sharply with the Browns brown and orange palette. The former Colts Marching Band was renamed the Baltimore's Marching Ravens. The Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV just five seasons after the move. General manager Ozzie Newsome remained with the organization until retiring in 2018. Longtime placekicker Matt Stover finished his career with the Indianapolis Colts after being released by the Ravens following the 2008 season. On the 27th of March 2000, NFL owners approved selling 49 percent of the Ravens to Steve Bisciotti. Bisciotti exercised his option to buy the remaining 51 percent for $325 million on the 8th of April 2004. Al Lerner purchased the reactivated Browns franchise for $530 million in 1998. His son Randy took over ownership after Al died in 2002 before selling to Jimmy Haslam in 2012. Two players from the 1995 roster returned to Cleveland: Antonio Langham claimed by the expansion draft and Orlando Brown signed as a free agent. Both played only the 1999 season under both organizations. The reactivated Browns achieved four winning seasons since returning in 1999 including an 11, 6 record in 2023.
Major League Baseball adopted similar provisions allowing states to retain rights if teams move. The Minnesota Twins deal includes legal language requiring them to leave behind name and history if they relocate. Oakland Athletics sought to extend their lease while moving to Las Vegas but rejected keeping their identity. Major League Soccer saw the San Jose Earthquakes suspend operations from 2006 to 2007 while transferring organization to Houston Dynamo. The Columbus Crew moved to Austin with operational rights sold to local owners while equity remained with Anthony Precourt. In hockey, the Quebec Nordiques left retired numbers in Quebec City when becoming the Colorado Avalanche. The Winnipeg Jets franchise was taken over by True North Sports & Entertainment who purchased the Atlanta Thrashers instead of Phoenix. The new Jets used the old team's #9 jersey for Evander Kane while switching Bryan Little to #18. The Arizona Coyotes marked inactive after the 2023, 24 season while Utah Mammoth became an expansion team. The Seattle SuperSonics' move to Oklahoma City required leaving behind name and history until a new team arrives. Detroit Pistons made agreements ensuring trophies remain if they ever relocate again. These precedents demonstrate how the Browns compromise reshaped franchise negotiations across multiple sports.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
Why did Art Modell move the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1995?
Art Modell moved the team because he claimed financial losses of $21 million between 1993 and 1994 due to soaring player salaries and lost suite revenues after the Indians left. He stated that a tax referendum to remodel Cleveland Stadium would likely fail, leaving him no choice but to relocate. The deal was finalized on the 6th of September 1995 when Modell signed an agreement for a new $220 million stadium in Maryland.
When did the NFL announce the deactivation of the Cleveland Browns franchise?
The NFL announced the deactivation of the Cleveland Browns franchise on the 9th of February 1996 for at least three years. This decision allowed Modell to take current players and personnel to Baltimore as the 31st NFL team while retaining the original Browns name and history for a reactivated team. League owners approved this unique settlement by a 25 to 2 vote with three abstentions.
Who bought the reactivated Cleveland Browns franchise in 1998?
Al Lerner purchased the reactivated Cleveland Browns franchise for $530 million in 1998. His son Randy took over ownership after Al died in 2002 before selling the team to Jimmy Haslam in 2012. Two players from the 1995 roster returned to Cleveland including Antonio Langham and Orlando Brown who both played only the 1999 season under both organizations.
What happened to the Cleveland Browns stadium lease after the move announcement?
The City of Cleveland sued Modell, the Browns, Stadium Corp, and Maryland officials on the 7th of November 1995 to enforce the lease requiring home games at Cleveland Stadium through 1998. The lawsuit sought to prevent the relocation but the league ultimately granted Modell a new franchise for Baltimore instead. Fans filed additional suits while the United States Congress held hearings on the matter during the suspension period.
How many votes did fans cast when choosing the name Ravens for the new Baltimore team?
A fan contest drew 33,288 voters who chose the name Ravens from an initial list of over 100 names reduced by focus groups. The new team adopted purple and black colors contrasting sharply with the Browns brown and orange palette. The former Colts Marching Band was renamed the Baltimore's Marching Ravens following this selection process.