The Baltimore Ravens have arguably been the model of consistency in the NFL for the last quarter of the century, comparable to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.
Owner Steve Bisciotti purchased a 49% stake in the team from Art Modell in 2000. Modell previously owned the Cleveland Browns and relocated the franchise to Baltimore (and changed their name to the Ravens (in 1996). He’s one of the most hated men in Ohio.
Bisciotti purchased the remaining stake of the team in 2004 for $325 further million, He’s since overseen one of the most successful periods in NFL history, and the franchise is now worth a reported $6 billion.
The 64-year-old from Maryland grew up a massive Baltimore Colts fan. Like many from the area, he was heartbroken when the franchise relocated to Indianapolis in the middle of the night on March 29, 1984.
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Bisciotti made his money in the aerospace staffing industry. His original business Aerotek grew to Allegis Group, one of the biggest global talent services in the world. The company was valued at $13.4 billion in 2018.
The Ravens have reached the playoffs 15 times since 2000, winning two Super Bowls. The team possesses an impressive 17-13 record during that season.
For Bisciotti, the name of the game is staying in the hunt year after year. “We’re proud of what we’re giving to Baltimore,” he said.
Ray Lewis embraces Steve Bisciotti after winning Super Bowl XLVII (
Getty Images)
“You have to make the playoffs to have the opportunity to compete for championships, and championships are our goal. We want to be a consistent winner that avoids big lulls and not being in the playoffs for any length of time.”
Before the arrival of Lamar Jackon, Baltimore’s remarkable consistency has come primarily without an elite quarterback. Veteran Joe Flacco was the team’s starter for a decade but only posted one season of 4,000+ yards.
The team’s continuity extends to the head coaching position. Bisciotti hired John Harbaugh ahead of the 2008 season; currently, he’s the league’s second-long-tenured head coach.
Bisciotti says he asked Harbaugh a “trick question” when hiring him. “”My question to him was, ‘If, by a strange twist of fate, I gave you the job today but told you that you could only spend 100 hours in this facility from now until the kickoff of the first game, how would you spend those 100 hours?'”
“I’m going to get this wrong, aren’t I?” Harbaugh answered. The Baltimore coach was allowed a few minutes to think of a response before returning to wow the Baltimore owner.
Baltimore is off to a strong start in 2024, winning four games in a row after two narrow defaults in Week 1 and 2. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is cruising again and looks poised to give a third NFL MVP award a run for its money.
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