Art Modell 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, he 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.
What is Art Modell famous for?
- An American businessman, entrepreneur and National Football League (NFL) team owner.
Where was Art Modell born?
Recalling his early life, Modell was born to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. His father George was a wine sales manager who went bankrupt after the stock market crash of 1929 and later died when he was 14 years old. He is of American nationality and belongs to White ethnicity. Similarly, the information about his mother and siblings is yet to be disclosed. Further, his birth sign is Cancer.
Where did Art Modell go for education?
Concerning his education details, Modell attended New Utrecht High School. At the age of 15, he 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.
How Art Modell become a businessman?
- Moving towards his career, Model founded his own production company with a fellow student in 1947 and 1949, they produced one of the first daytime shows in the country, Market Melodies, dedicated to cooking and decorating.
- He sold the idea of his show to the Grand Union grocery store chain and 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.
- In 1958, He bought an upstate New York champagne maker, Gold Seal Vineyards Inc.
- In 1960, L.H. Hartman was dissolved, and he again used his Grand Union account to land a job as senior vice president at the advertising firm Kastor, Hilton, Chesley, Clifford & Atherton.
- During the 1940s and 1950s, He worked in advertising, public relations, and television production in New York City. He purchased the Cleveland Browns in 1961 for $4 million, investing only $250,000 of his own money. He borrowed $2.7 million and found partners to cover the rest.
- While the City of Cleveland, Ohio wanted to improve Municipal Stadium, He issued a public moratorium on discussions relating to the stadium issue for the future of his franchise. It was during this time that Modell entered into secret discussions with the State of Maryland to move the franchise to Baltimore for the 1996 season.
- During his 35 seasons as team owner, the Browns qualified for the postseason 17 times, winning 11 division titles and the NFL championship in 1964. The team’s overall regular-season record during Modell’s tenure was 252-233-10, (winning percentage .519), and its post-season record was 7 wins against 14 losses (winning percentage .333).
- The original Browns were considered one of the NFL’s flagship franchises, as well as an institution by many Northern Ohioans. He never returned to Cleveland after 1996. When Browns kicking legend Lou “The Toe” Groza died in 2000, Modell did not appear.
- By the 1990s, He was disturbed at what he saw as the financial distress of the Browns and the Stadium Corp., as recounted in detail in the book Fumble: The Browns, Modell, & the Move by Michael G. Poplar with James A. Toman (ISBN 0-936760-11-7) which was written by a Modell associate and longtime Browns employee.
Who was Art Modell married to?
Reflecting on his personal life, Modell was married to Patricia Breslin, lasting from 1969 until her death in 2011. He adopted her two sons, John and David, from her first marriage to actor David Orrick McDearmon. He had been considered one of northeastern Ohio’s most eligible bachelors, as well as a man about town, before marrying Patricia.
Until 2009, He and his wife lived in Cockeysville, Maryland. They also retained residences in nearby Owings Mills, Maryland, where son David lived with his family, and Vero Beach, Florida. They had a total of six grandchildren. Patricia died on October 12th, 2011, at the age of 80.
He had a history of coronary disease. He died on September 6th, 2012, at Johns Hopkins Hospital at the age of 87 due to natural causes. On July 23rd, 2014, a video surfaced on YouTube of an unidentified Browns fan desecrating the grave of him wearing a Lyle Alzado jersey by urinating on the grave through a catheter. Baltimore County filed charges for disorderly conduct at the request of his son David Modell once the fan was identified.
What Art Modell Net worth?
Being a National Football League (NFL) team owner, Modell earns an impressive amount of money and fame through his business career. Based on some online reports, his estimated net worth said to be $45 million at the time of his death. However, his salary is yet to be disclosed.
How tall was Art Modell?
Before his death, Modell stands a decent height and weight with white hair and black eyes. His other body information is yet to be disclosed. In the case of disclosed, we will let you know.
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