Quick Facts: Baltimore Ravens
| Current Owner | Steve Bisciotti |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Full Control Since | 2004 (49% stake since 2000) |
| Bought From | Art Modell |
| Owner’s Day Job | Co-founder, Aerotek/Allegis Group (staffing) |
| Championships | Super Bowl XXXV (2001, Modell) & XLVII (2013, Bisciotti) |
| Franchise Origin | Former Cleveland Browns identity, relocated 1996 |
Who Owns the Baltimore Ravens?
Steve Bisciotti has owned the Baltimore Ravens since 2004, when he completed a buyout of Art Modell that began four years earlier with an initial 49% stake purchase in 2000.
The Ravens themselves exist because of Art Modell, who controversially relocated his original Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1996 — while the Browns name, colors, and history stayed in Cleveland by NFL agreement, and a new team called the Ravens launched in Baltimore with essentially the same roster and front office.
Modell’s Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season, just after Bisciotti bought his initial minority stake, before Bisciotti completed the full purchase in 2004 as Modell’s health and finances made a complete exit necessary.
Bisciotti built his fortune co-founding Aerotek, a staffing and recruiting company that grew into the larger Allegis Group, giving him a business background focused on services rather than manufacturing or real estate.
Baltimore Ravens Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Ravens franchise launches | Art Modell | Original Browns relocate; Browns identity stays in Cleveland |
| 2000 | Super Bowl XXXV championship; Bisciotti buys 49% stake | Art Modell + Steve Bisciotti | First Ravens title |
| 2004–Present | Bisciotti completes full purchase | Steve Bisciotti | Sole controlling owner |
| 2013 | Super Bowl XLVII championship | Steve Bisciotti | Ray Lewis’s final NFL season |
About Steve Bisciotti
Bisciotti co-founded Aerotek in 1983 alongside Jim Davis, building it into a staffing giant that eventually became part of the broader Allegis Group, one of the largest privately held staffing companies in the world.
His gradual entry into Ravens ownership — buying a minority stake years before taking full control — is a structure that has become more common in modern sports ownership transitions, giving Modell financial relief while allowing Bisciotti time to learn the operation before assuming complete authority.
Key Ownership Highlights
- The Ravens exist because of a controversial 1996 relocation: Art Modell’s original Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, though the Browns name and history stayed in Cleveland by NFL agreement, later relaunching as an expansion team in 1999.
- Bisciotti’s purchase was structured in two stages over four years: a 49% stake in 2000, followed by full control in 2004 — a gradual ownership transition rather than a single sale.
- Both Super Bowl titles happened under different halves of this ownership arrangement: 2000 under Modell (with Bisciotti already a minority partner), 2013 fully under Bisciotti.
- Bisciotti’s wealth comes from staffing services: Aerotek and the broader Allegis Group, a less common industry background among NFL owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Baltimore Ravens?
Steve Bisciotti, who has held full ownership since 2004.
How did Steve Bisciotti become the Ravens’ owner?
He bought a 49% stake from Art Modell in 2000, then completed a full buyout in 2004.
Why do the Ravens exist as a separate team from the Browns?
Art Modell relocated his original Browns franchise to Baltimore in 1996, but the Browns name and history stayed in Cleveland by NFL agreement, and a new Browns expansion team launched in 1999.
How many Super Bowls have the Ravens won?
Two: Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 and Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
What is Steve Bisciotti’s business background?
He co-founded Aerotek, a staffing company that became part of the larger Allegis Group.