The Dramatic Relocation of the Colts to Indianapolis

The relocation of the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis has to be one of the most dramatic and controversial in the history of the NFL. On the night of March 28th, 1984, while the city of Baltimore was still asleep, team owner Robert Irsay hired movers and ordered a pack-up of the team's offices in Owings Mills and a move straight to the city's airport.

Without prior notice or public announcement, the franchise was moving to Indianapolis. All of a sudden, the once-mighty Colts no longer belonged to the city of Baltimore. The weird relocation was met with widespread outrage throughout the city from fans, as well as politicians who vowed to take action.

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The Colts, Baltimore, and Robert Irsay

The Colts have had a storied history in the city of Baltimore. The team was established as an NFL franchise in 1953 and became a force in the league in no time. The outfit was highly successful during their time in Baltimore, where the team won three NFL Championships and a Super Bowl. They also recorded five conference championships and an additional five divisional titles.

Robert Irsay became the owner of the Colts in 1972. He acquired ownership of the team by trading his ownership of the Los Angeles Rams with Caroll Rosenbloom, who was then the owner of the Baltimore-based outfit. The Colts were relatively successful on and off the pitch under Irsay. However, the fortunes of the team dwindled in the years leading up to the relocation.

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The Relocation and the Indianapolis decision

Robert Irsay's decision to move the Colts away from Baltimore was primarily due to the team's stadium. He has for a couple of years pushed for the replacement of the aging Memorial Stadium, but negotiations with the city of Baltimore didn't bring out the expected result. Irsay saw the construction of a new stadium as crucial to the team’s dwindling financial situation.

We are not going to build a new stadium. We do not have the bonding capacity. We don't have the voters or taxpayers who can support a $60 million stadium. One-third of the people of Baltimore pay taxes. Unless private enterprise builds it, we won't build it. - William Schaefer, Mayor of Baltimore

The reluctance of the city of Baltimore in constructing a new stadium led Irsay into searching for a new home for the team. He had discussions with several cities hungry for an NFL franchise that included Phoenix, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Memphis, and Birmingham. The city of Phoenix had a brilliant offer, but in the end, Indianapolis was the most enticing to Irsay.

Robert Irsay decided on moving to Indianapolis. The city had just completed the construction of the Hoosier Dome and Irsay was offered the stadium rent-free for 20 years. The city also offered other incentives and financial packages that enticed the owner. Despite the backlash in Baltimore, the relocation of the franchise to Indianapolis was eventually successful.