Wrong. Not even in the same league. When Model was finally forced to move his team, he left the name Browns and all of the history with the city of cleveland. Irsay could've done the same thing but didn't. Model = Class. Irsay = Classless

In addition, the Cleveland politicians that forced the move, set themselves up for the next round profitably.

In terms of moving teams in the NFL you are absolutely correct. There is no difference in the way things were handled. Cleveland wasn't forthcoming with a new stadium which led to the move from there. Baltimore wasn't forthcoming with a new stadium either with the same result. Each move was done in stealth with little notice and without much care for the fans who supported their team for years. I lived in the Cleveland area at the time they were moved and was witness to the trauma. I lived in Baltimore when the team was moved and witnessed the trauma. A name left behind wasn't much consolation at the time in either city. Only a new team in each city helped. Modell/Irsay were money moguls in the NFL corporation. And I'm sure there are other owners who fall into the same category.

@John T. - Mr Modell was forced (by his fellow owners) to leave the team name, history, and uniform colors in Cleveland.

Also, Modell announced the move the day BEFORE Cleveland voters were to vote on a tax issue to spend millions of dollars to substantially refurbish Cleveland Stadium. The tax proposal was overwhelmingly approved by voters on November 7, 1995. Prior to the move, Modell was much beloved by the fans in Cleveland, unlike Mr. Irsay here in Baltimore.

I agree with most of what you said with the possible exception about corporations. The NFL is more of a monopoly than most corps. True there are some examples of monopolistic corps out there but the NFL has special privilege bestowed upon them by the congress which allows them to operate above the law in some areas. Plus the fact that they generally use taxpayers monies to build/finance their place of business and in some cases even have guaranty of income from the gov. I guess there are a few examples of that in corporate business as well (ie Solyndra, etc) but for the most part the competition is available to keep most somewhat honest. I realize that may seem like an oxymoron (business and honest in the same sentence) but at least we as consumers have choices. The only choice you have with pro-football is which team. Concessions are a joke, albeit an expensive one and ticket prices are through the roof. As a side-thought I tend to believe that pro-football has done more to hurt the family than much of anything else over the years Mr Modell was around. Not saying he's all to blame, but... Normal male development is replaced with near hormonal instincts during the season. Just look at the Ravens blogs. It's semi-canabalistic. No Mr Modell was a man who found himself in the right place at the right time. An opportunist. Not a super-hero. Sure I am sad for his family and friends. He was a man. But I cannot raise him to the level of saint-hood. sorry...

Actually, its MLB that enjoys Congress' special monopoly exception, although the Supreme Court has ruled in the NFL's favor a few times, in a suit brought against them by the AFL, that the NFL is a "natural monopoly."

http://sportslaw.uslegal.com/antitrust-and-labor-law-issues-in-sports/

No, Paulette. No hate here. Your comments were very factual. And for me that is what I go by. I think the analogy I'd give his acceptance in Bmore is like a jilted lover who was then picked up by another suitor. Having something was better than having nothing. I would have like to see the colts forced to return when they left myself. Everytime I see those white and blue jerseys on televised games I cringe, even today. Those Cleveland fans were very loyal just like our fans were/are.

Interesting, then, that Mr. Modell announced his move to Baltimore the day BEFORE the taxpayers were to vote on approving a tax intitiative to refurbish Cleveland Stadium. He announced the move on November 6, 1995. On November 7th, 1995, Cleveland voters approved (by a wide margin) the ballott measure to overhaul the stadium. Fans had been lead to believe that an approval of the measure meant the Browns would stay. Classy move by Mr. Modell. Not that I blame him - he was running a business, after all. And, as I stated above, he was forced to leave the name and etc. behind to stop the legal proceedings initiated by Cleveland. It was not his idea, it was a settlemnt proposed by the NFL.

I am not meaning to imply that Mr. Modell was a bad person because he moved the Browns to Baltimore, but let's not canonize the man for it, either. We can admire his many good deeds while still acknowledging that he broke the hearts of millions of football fans, just as Mr. Irsay did.

Scott Hoffman, I wanted to reply to your reference of my name/comment in your response to Paulette. Regarding your assertion about being open, Mr Modell was promised what he wanted in Cleveland and left anyhow (to wit, the current Cleveland facility being used by the new Browns. I just happened to live in the area at the time and saw the effect his move had on the fans left behind in his wake to speed the team out of town. I'm very glad Baltimore got a team but an expansion team would have been far more appropriate. And as a resident of that area, no Mr Modell was not "open" with the Cleveland fans. By the way I am from Baltimore and was an avid Colts fan before they were stolen by Mr Irsay. So it was a double dose of owner blackmail for me.