2005: Art Modell Part 1

Former Browns owner Art Modell sat down with NewsChannel5's Ted Henry

[@ericlehman6841]

I want to see part two.

[@joe6096]

When you think how selfish Modell was - that he would rather move to the team to solve his financial issues than simply sell it to Al Lerner who was his minority shareholder to begin with and ended up buying the re-instated Browns 3 years later anyway - what did it accomplish for his legacy? He was intent on holding on to the team for his family. Well, after he died David sold his majority ownership stake of the Ravens to Biscotti who is a native Baltimorian. Then a few years later David died. So if Modell had simply sold the Browns to Al Lerner in 1994-95 anyway, he'd have been able to solve his finances and Cleveland would not hate him for eternity and wish him nothing but a seat in the hottest corner of hell for eternity. Al Lerner would have most likely continued to keep Belichick and most of his staff at the time (Nick Saban was the Browns Def. Coordinator and Kirk Ferentz was the Browns def. line coach under Belichick), Ozzie Newsome would have been the GM, and Cleveland would have a guy named Tom Brady in their Ring of Honor at the stadium today. Maybe. But more than likely. If only Modell had just sold the team.

[@ericlehman6841]

Why was part two never uploaded?

[@whataboutrob442]

Should have helped out Art Model. Rest in peace 🙏

[@crosstatt7441]

I agree the new stadium and helping him get out of debt (although that part is more arguable) would have been better.

[@crosstatt7441]

As much as I understand the anger to him as a Clevelander, I also respect him for many things. It’s a shame that it couldn’t have happened here in Cleveland. I really wish that the stadium deal would’ve worked out for both Cleveland and Art. Although I’m hurt about him moving the Browns, I’m thankful for the things he did here in Cleveland. It’s too bad things worked out the way they did. Where I understand the anger of fellow Browns fans, I also appreciate the good thing that he did for the city of Cleveland. We have great hospice care because of him. It would’ve been so much better for both Cleveland and Art if the stadium deal worked out.

[@crosstatt7441]

I think that the city could’ve helped him more. I don’t excuse Modell, but I feel there are others who need to own up. It’s a shame that Lerner swooped in! He should’ve helped out more.

[@christopherdonaldson7484]

Art Modell hated Cleveland's politicians, like Robert Irsay hated Baltimore's politicians! Modell cleaned up what Irsay left.

[@markrobertson2196]

Not to mention he did a far better job than Irsay ever did as an NFL owner

[@crosstatt7441]

I wonder what Bud Adams is thought of.

[@crosstatt7441]

Politics in sports really sucks! Bud Adams had a similar situation when the Oilers.

[@crosstatt7441]

The two things I would have liked to have seen was his father see him enjoy his successes. Also, I wish that things would’ve worked better for the Cleveland officials and him. However, I also see it as businesses.

[@Wingman-yl3qq]

Art wanted everything handed to him on a silver platter. He was a waste of oxygen. I feel badly for his family because they know the truth.

[@crosstatt7441]

There’s so much angst and hurt about the whole situation.

[@christopherwaits7852]

Where’s part 2?

[@crosstatt7441]

That’s what I’d like to know, too.

[@Cccc-ky4vq]

Shows you how corrupt these politicians are RIP mr Modell a true gentleman

[@nmdiesel89]

DinkErie814 He was offered several deals, he wouldn't come out and say exactly what he wanted. the day after art made the move public the voters approved a $175 million package to renovate the stadium. the city basically offered the stadium rent free. 2 new stadiums were built in 94 and he left only a year after. In 96 they started building a new stadium. how can he claim he was losing $, they had sold out games for years. if your losing $ on that, thats piss poor management. hell even the state gov got involved and was offering deals, but art would never say exactly what he wanted nor would he sit down and talk. they offered deals to increase his revenue, all stadium renovations paid for on the cities dime till a new stadium was built ext. He is a pos that moved for the $ crying like a little kid. two years later a new stadium was built just like he said was promised, and it cost more than the one he moved ours browns too. I'm glad he didnt get the history, he didn't deserve it.

[@crosstatt7441]

Also, Mayor White should’ve told him that it passed.

[@crosstatt7441]

Yeah, but the city didn’t have money back in 1973. He should not have taken responsibility for the stadium.

[@nmdiesel89]

DinkErie814 Further, he was approached by GSEG to build him a new stadium where jacobs field is today, he wouldnt take the deal because he wanted the tax payers to pay for it but he would end up owning it. He leased the old muni stadium for $1 from the city with his company stadium corp and charged himself (the browns) and the Indians rent. All he had to pay was up keep and operating cost. the indians got no upgrades ext. when they left his rent$ left, thats why the voters passed the $175 million sin tax, almost as much as the cavs and indians new stadiums cost combined. he then stopped any and all talks stating he wanted to focus on football, all the while working out a deal with balti. ya he was a pos.

[@nmdiesel89]

***** if i remember right he did move the club before he announced the teams move. i would venture to say he had been thinking about moving them for at least 2 years.

[@crosstatt7441]

Also, Mike White didn’t think that it would happen. However, it was shady all the way around on everyone’s part. I mean, involved in the move.

[@bubbadelux]

The Funniest part of All is not long after He passed away the Son and family Sold the Team. The Modells DONT EVEN own the Baltimore Ravens anymore. All that for NOTHING except to pack his family with money from his backroom deals and Alley side bets.

[@crosstatt7441]

Art became a slim majority owner (51 percent) in 2000. However, he sold the remainder his portion to Steve Biscotti in 2004. Whom he sold 49 percent of it to four years earlier.

[@crosstatt7441]

Art Modell didn’t get to pass the team to his family. However, he died almost a decade after he sold the team. That’s why he and his wife, Pat were out of debt.

[@crosstatt7441]

He should have never taken control of the stadium to begin with. Also, the city should probably have built the Browns stadium before it built the rock and roll HOF and science center.

[@crosstatt7441]

I don’t know what happened with Art’s one percent stake in it.

[@TPM1424]

He warned them, they ignored him!

[@crosstatt7441]

Yep.

[@JohnnyV6900]

Is art in a prison jumpsuit 😂

[@patriotsman6511]

He should have just sold the team horrible ownership

[@crosstatt7441]

To some extent, I agree with that.

[@crosstatt7441]

The stadium would still have been a liability.

[@coolsvillesucks1798]

Art did sound pretty sincere and was pretty straightforward during this interview.

[@kirkmoore4515]

Art Modell is a inspirational figure to me. A Cleveland Browns fan disguised himself in a Ravens jersey and then when he got to old Art's grave, he took a squirt on it. I wanna do that when Dean Spanos dies. Thank you Art, you piece of shit. You've inspired me in death!

[@Eli-ss9gj]

You’re just as trash a person as that Browns fan was.

[@DinkErie814]

You did it to yourselves, Cleveland...Art Modell did the right thing.

[@thexl3879]

you can shut the fuck up

[@TheMissingLink2]

I know this comment is years old but Modell was offered several deals but turned them down. He actually refused to be part of the gateway deal until he realized the Indians would get their own stadium and he couldn't force them to pay rent any more.

[@christopherdonaldson7484]

And Richard Jacobs, then Indians owner, thought, "I have the private funding for my own stadium! I am already aware of the old stadium in decline! Mr. Modell, he doesn't care, and had he compromised with me, we would have been co-tenants!"

[@ck-1649]

Uh no we didn't. That snake did it to himself!! The city was open to help the Browns once they were done with the Indians and Cavs. And guess what, HE TURNED IT DOWN! All because he was "emotional". Yeah poor baby

[@crosstatt7441]

Art Modell may be the main villain in The Move, but he didn’t do it all by himself. Baltimore, Cleveland, and the NFL are also responsible for it.

[@mikewack6778]

LIAR

[@whataboutrob442]

Negative

[@crosstatt7441]

He was definitely guilty. However, Mayor White and Al Lerner have their faults.