In an interview on Baltimore's WMAR-TV, Browns Owner Art
Modell said when the "facts" come out, people will back his
decision to take his team to Baltimore. Modell, in a clip shown
on CNN's "Sports Tonight": "Any thinking man would look at the
facts and say, 'My God, no wonder he did what he did.' And that
goes for the owners in the league, the public, the man on the
street, the cabdrivers, the Dawg Pound -- my people. The Dawg
Pound inhabitant will say, 'God, I don't blame this guy.' When
the facts come out, they'll put the blame where it belongs, with
the people who had the power to do something and did not" (CNN,
12/18). Modell spent the day yesterday touring the Camden Yards
area with Maryland Stadium Authority Chair John Moag and Browns
VP Jim Bailey. Modell said he will present the "facts" that
support his case at the January 17 NFL owners' meeting in Atlanta
(Bart Hubbuch, Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 12/19).
WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO? In New York, Gary Myers offers the
alternatives facing the league regarding the Browns: 1) "Rely on
the Cleveland courts"; 2) Vote down the move and face an
antitrust suit; 3) Move an existing team (the Bucs?) to
Cleveland; 4) Expansion -- "the best solution." Myers notes NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue's decision to rule out expansion
until after 2000, but adds: "This is an extenuating circumstance
and the NFL easily could add two teams by 1998. Put a team in
Cleveland and make sure Modell leaves the Browns' name behind.
Put a team in Los Angeles. And you have 32 clubs, eight four-
team divisions and just about everybody is happy" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 12/19).
