The Baltimore Ravens came into existence after a flurry of legal activity was triggered in 1995 when Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his intention to relocate his team from Cleveland to Baltimore.<br />The controversy ended when representatives of Cleveland and the NFL reached a settlement on February 8, 1996.<br />The agreement stipulated that the Browns' name, colors, uniform design and franchise records would remain in Cleveland.<br />The franchise history included Browns club records and connections with Pro Football Hall of Fame players.<br />A new team to begin play in 1999 would be regarded as the reactivated Cleveland Browns.<br />Modell's Baltimore team, while retaining all current player contracts, would officially be the expansion team, a new franchise. (*)