Art Modell

Art Modell
Modell at a press conference in 1983
Born	Arthur Bertram Modell (1925-06-23)June 23, 1925 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	September 6, 2012(2012-09-06) (aged 87) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation	NFL franchise owner Cleveland Browns (1961–1995) Baltimore Ravens (1996–2004) Businessman

Arthur Bertram "Art" Modell (June 23, 1925 – September 6, 2012) was an American businessman, entrepreneur and National Football League (NFL) team owner. He owned the Cleveland Browns franchise for 35 years and established the Baltimore Ravens franchise, which he owned for nine years.

Assuming control of the Browns franchise in 1961, Modell was a key figure in helping promote the NFL and was initially popular in Cleveland for his active role in the community and his efforts to improve the team. However, he made controversial actions during his ownership, which included the firing of Paul Brown, the franchise's first coach and namesake. In 1995, Modell faced widespread scorn in Cleveland when he attempted to relocate the Browns to Baltimore. While the Browns were ultimately able to remain in Cleveland, Modell was allowed to retain the contracts of all Browns personnel, who formed the Baltimore Ravens in 1996. Modell's impact on the Browns franchise remains controversial due to the Browns' consistent struggles since returning to the league as an expansion team in 1999 and the success of the Ravens. Art Modell is widely known as one of the most hated men in Cleveland sports history. Modell also once stated his team was losing money, when they were in fact 5th in the NFL for attendance and 2nd in Nielson Ratings.

Modell was born to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. His father George was a wine sales manager who went bankrupt after the and later died when Modell was 14. Modell attended New Utrecht High School. At the age of 15, Modell left high school to help support his family.

His first job was cleaning the hulls of ships in a Brooklyn shipyard. In 1943, when he was 18, he joined the US Army Air Corps. After World War II, he enrolled in a New York City television school under the G.I. Bill. In 1947, he founded his own production company with a fellow student and in 1949, they produced one of the first daytime shows in the country, Market Melodies, dedicated to cooking and decorating. Modell sold the idea of his show to the Grand Union grocery store chain and Modell installed televisions, at his expense, in the aisles of the chain's stores where the show soon became very popular. At the time, very few households had televisions so the store format was wildly successful. In 1954, using the lucrative Grand Union account as leverage, he was hired as a senior account executive at the advertising company L.H. Hartman Co. in New York City, eventually becoming a partner. Formed after the Prohibition era, the L.H. Hartman was primarily involved in liquor advertising. In 1958, Modell bought an upstate New York champagne maker, Gold Seal Vineyards Inc. In 1960, L.H. Hartman was dissolved, and Modell again used his Grand Union account to land a job as senior vice president at the advertising firm Kastor, Hilton, Chesley, Clifford & Atherton.