Browns Owner Art Modell "hopes today will be the turning
point in his drive to Baltimore," according to Jon Morgan of the
Baltimore SUN. Modell makes a presentation tonight before the
NFL's Stadium and Finance Committees. Tomorrow, full ownership
hears presentations from the team and the city. While most
owners believe a vote will be delayed, Modell will press for a
vote -- either tomorrow or Thursday (Baltimore SUN, 1/16).
According to Hubbuch & Adams in Akron, Modell is expected to get
neither support from fellow owners, nor a vote on the move (Akron
BEACON JOURNAL, 1/14). In Boston, Will McDonough calls it "the
most important meeting in the recent history of the [NFL]."
McDonough reports, "Modell has been sending signals to fellow
owners to remain patient and listen to his case Wednesday." The
consensus is that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will put off a
vote until after the February 12 Cleveland trial, in part to give
the league "additional time to work on a settlement" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 1/14).
CLEVELAND AMENDS SUIT: The city of Cleveland amended its
lawsuit against the Browns and the Cleveland Stadium Corp. to
include Modell, the Maryland Stadium Authority and its chairman,
John Moag. The suit seeks $300M in damages. Among the damages
is the $70M in PSL payments the Browns would receive in Baltimore
(BLOOMBERG/DETROIT NEWS, 1/13). The city's suit estimates the
annual economic impact of the Browns at $79M, a figure disputed
by some economists (Maura McEnaney, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 1/14).
Cleveland Mayor Michael White: "Mr. Art Modell and Mr. John Moag
got together one day. They got together on a secret runway with
a secret handshake, a secret knock, and a secret deal. Within
which they conspired to break our lease and steal our team."
Moag's response: "Maryland did not steal the Browns. Mayor White
lost them" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 1/12). Moag said they will
consider a counter-suit, on the claim of Cleveland filing a
frivolous suit (Baltimore SUN, 1/13).
WHAT'S THE MAYOR UP TO? Columnist Ken Rosenthal notes logic
would dictate a settlement between White and the Browns. Moag:
"I don't get it. [White's] strategy has been fairly good to
date, I guess. But I think he made a real strategic error here.
It sets him back with the owners. They don't have much patience
for this kind of stuff. It's an annoyance for us. I think it
tends to hurt him a lot more." Rosenthal ends: "A line has been
crossed. No one knows what to expect next" (Baltimore SUN,
1/13).
CLOSELY WATCHING: In Tampa, Nick Pugliese notes that Tampa
and Hillsborough County officials said they will follow the
progress of Cleveland's suit "with keen interest," adding that
they might consider similar legal action if the Bucs decide to
leave (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 1/14).
MORE ANNOYANCE: Steelers President Dan Rooney said the fax
and e-mail barrage from Browns fans last week "hurt their cause"
(Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 1/15).
BUSINESS BACKING: Several top Cleveland businesses took out
a full-page ad in USA TODAY this morning urging the NFL to
support keeping the Browns there. The $59,000 ad was purchased
by TRW CEO Joseph Gorman (USA TODAY, 1/16).
