Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 7, 1995 TAG: 9511070066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Medium
In a stunning deal involving two of the most storied cities in NFL history, the Browns said Monday they would abandon Cleveland and move to Baltimore next season.
It marked the third time in a year an NFL franchise moved to a city where pro football had failed once before.
And although the words ``Baltimore Browns'' stirred deep emotions in both towns, team owner Art Modell said it came down to one thing - money.
``This has been a very, very tough road for my family and me,'' Modell said, with sadness as evident as the joy Maryland officials, including Gov. Parris Glendening, displayed in announcing the move. ``I leave my heart and part of my soul in Cleveland. But frankly, it came down to a simple proposition: I had no choice.''
Modell ended 45 years of NFL tradition in Cleveland by signing a 30-year lease to play in Baltimore. The financial plan being offered by Maryland Stadium Authority chief John Moag was too good: a $200 million stadium to be built by the state, up to $75 million for moving expenses and state-paid improvements to Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, where the Browns will play their first two seasons.
The news conference was held in the parking lot of what will be the site of a 70,000-seat stadium next to the Orioles' Camden Yards ballpark. It took place with officials cheering in the sunshine - a stark contrast to the March 1984 departure of the Colts. On that snowy night, moving vans clandestinely pulled up to the Colts' training camp in Owings Mills and carried the team's equipment away to Indianapolis.
Baltimore's quest for another NFL team ended 10 days ago when Modell and Glendening reached an agreement aboard a private jet at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. Glendening triumphantly waved the contract during Monday's news conference.
On Sunday, Modell missed his first Browns home game in 35 years. He and his football team have long been an integral part of the city, and his relationship with Cleveland extended well beyond the ownership of the NFL club.
Modell said he lost millions of dollars operating the Browns, and he didn't want to use the lucrative Baltimore offer as a bargaining chip - a ploy several owners had used successfully.
There still are several things that must occur before the Baltimore Browns become a reality. NFL owners must approve the move, and several of Modell's peers said they would vote against it - although Modell still has plenty of time to change their minds.
He said he planned to address the issue at an owners' meeting in Dallas today.
Under the NFL's rules, an owner wanting to move his team must prove his host city is inhospitable and show the city is unwilling to help improve the situation.
It's a slim hope: Twice this year, the league has failed to block an owner from moving.
Community leaders in Cleveland continued to argue for passage today of a ballot issue that would extend the county ``sin tax'' on alcohol and tobacco products to help pay for renovation of Cleveland Stadium.
Paul Tagliabue, the NFL's commissioner, on Monday sent Cleveland Mayor Michael White a letter lending his support to the ``sin tax'' extension.
Hours before the news conference, the city of Cleveland asked a county judge to block the move, claiming it would violate the team's lease with the city. The judge granted the request and issued a temporary order preventing the Browns from moving until a hearing Nov.20.
If Cleveland's lawsuit fizzles and the owners decide to step aside and let Modell have his sweetheart deal, then Baltimore will have ended its agonizing odyssey to replace the void left by the departure of the Colts.
St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill took a tour of the city in 1987, then decided to move his team to Tempe, Ariz. Baltimore also courted owners of the Los Angeles Rams, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals with no success.
Baltimore had a shot at landing an expansion team in 1993, but the NFL awarded franchises to Jacksonville and Charlotte.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB