Cleveland sues its football team to block name transfer to Baltimore

Jet, Dec 11, 1995

The city of Cleveland is apparently taking the eventual loss of its football team hard. The city recently filed suit in federal court contending the "Browns" name has been associated with Cleveland longer than with its current owners, and can't be transferred.

The team's owner, Art Modell, bought the team in 1961 and obtained the trademark registration-improperly, the city alleges-on the name "Browns" in 1983.

The suit comes on the heels of the Browns' announcement that the team is moving to Baltimore to play the 1996 season (Jet, Nov. 27). After numerous appeals by Cleveland Mayor Michael White, other government officials and fans, the Browns moved forward with its plans.

Fans held mock funerals outside of Municipal Stadium where the Browns play home games and hung owner Modell in effigy to protest the decision to move one of the National Football League's most successful franchises.