IndyStar Sports

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It's a strange day in the way the Colts and the city of Baltimore are connected.

The team became the Indianapolis Colts on March 29, 1984, moving from Baltimore. On March 29, 1996, the Ravens became the name of Baltimore's new team, which had moved from Cleveland.

But when Baltimore was mulling what nickname to choose, team officials hadn't given up on "Colts," CBS Sports reported Tuesday.

Baltimore owner Art Modell offered $5 million. Jim Irsay, who was running the Colts in the place of his ailing father, Robert, countered with $25 million.

Modell refused.

Irsay has said he only briefly contemplated selling the nickname because of what had he faced in estate taxes when Robert Irsay died, which happened in January 1997.