Colts may relocate to Cleveland

It is hard to imagine that the death of one person could affect an entire city's sports culture. But, that is what might occur since Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay died, stemming from complications of a stroke he had more than a year ago. It's no secret that Cleveland is without a football team and has been promised one by the NFL for the 1999 season. Now, the Indianapolis Colts are looking more and more like the team that will become the Cleveland Browns. Ever since Irsay fell into a coma, the control of the team and the Irsay estate has been a fight between Irsay's son Jim and Irsay's second wife, Nancy. As of November, a judge ordered that a bank be appointed as guardian of the estate. If Jim Irsay were to get control of the estate and the team, it would be very hard for him to pay the estate tax and to keep the team functioning in Indiana. The lease that the Colts have with the RCA Dome is one that does not generate much money for the Colts. Their local radio and advertising revenue places them at the bottom of the NFL. Irsay might have no choice but to move the team up to Cleveland. If Nancy Irsay were to land the team, she has hinted that she has no interest in the team and would probably sell. If the team were to be sold, the NFL would position Cleveland as their number one choice to obtain the team. It would be sad for the Indianapolis fans to lose a team because of a death, but then again, as the city of Cleveland found out, the NFL is a business.