No great has ever been unanimously beloved. There are many out there who say Steve Jobs was an asshole. The Warren Buffetts and Donald Trumps of the world have a track record that continues to increase how many enemies they have. Even the great Abraham Lincoln was shot. So it's no surprise that the recently deceased Art Modell might be one of the most loved and hated men in sports history.
Art Modell died early this morning at the age of 87. In those 87 years he became one of the most integral figures in the biggest sport in the US. While there's half a state (Ohio) that currently disagrees, his legacy should not be diminished. In 1967 he became the only elected NFL president in league history and served three years. In 1968, as the chairman of the Owners Labor Committee (1968), he contributed to successfully negotiating the NFL’s first players’ CBA. He was a vital negotiator in launching Monday Night Football and volunteered his Browns to host the inaugural game. He was also important in serving on the NFL-AFL merging committee, and assisted in establishing
NFL Films. He had the foresight to understand how vastly the sport could flourish by negotiating league television contracts in order to raise awareness by expanding viewership. Essentially, he was instrumental in growing the sport into the power house it is today.
Modell’s television contract negotiations caused the NFL to supplant baseball as the most televised sport in America in 1965. The merger with the NFL-AFL birthed the Super Bowl, which is the second most watched annual sporting event in the world. No Big Deal. Currently, the NFL is breaking the bank with television based revenue. As DeMaurice Smith (Executive Director of NFLPA) stated publicly, ‘My hat’s off to Roger Goodell. Television is locked up until 2014 to the tune of about $5 billion a year.’ That’s a lot of dip, I guess… Last year, the Super Bowl had around 111.3 (In millions) viewers according to the Nielsen ratings. The Super Bowl has been turned into a holiday.
As an owner for 43 seasons between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, Art had 24 teams with winning records, 18 playoff teams, and 2 NFL Championships (1964 Cleveland Browns and 2000 Baltimore Ravens). He has been a vital figure in the NFL for decades.
The problem is that his illustrious career has been stained by moving a floundering franchise (Cleveland Browns) to what is now one of the most passionate markets in the league, the Baltimore Ravens. I can understand Cleveland’s disdain for this man as the feeling is similar to Baltimore’s opinion of Jim Irsay moving the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis. That said, the circumstances were extremely different. Modell was honest and respectful during a move that simply made economic sense. He was open about his decision and left the city of Cleveland with their name and records. That city has been through a lot in sports but he didn’t rub it in their faces like Lebron’s “Decision”. They were able to get the franchise back anyway. Irsay, an arrogant drunk, moved the team in middle of the night, immortalized by the infamous Mayflower moving truck pictures. He took the name and records to Indianapolis, stabbing an already injured fan base. Johnny Unitas went to his death angry that his Baltimore Colts records were in a trophy case in Indianapolis. Irsay was also simply an asshole and was disliked because of his personality before his reprehensible act.
Art Modell was a great man who should have made it into the Hall of Fame already and should not be a bridesmaid every year. Imagine the NFL without Monday Night Football, the Super Bowl, or the ability to watch it on TV. Imagine what would have happened if the AFL-NFL merger never occurred. Not only have his decisions increased exposure, but the revenue brought in has allowed the league to continue to grow. I have 6 TV’s in my apartment, 2 of which are in the living room, and each has a game on when available. Art Modell, I salute you. If there is football in the afterlife, I’m sure he would be asked to consult for it.
-Kyle
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