NFL Team Owner Profiles: Steve Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens

Steve Bisciotti

Baltimore Ravens

Education: BA, Liberal Arts, Salisbury University (MD)

Where the $ came from: Started a staffing company originally targeting the aerospace industry with his cousin in 1983. With only $3,500, they bought second hand office equipment and launched their staffing business, Aerotek—in a basement. The duo wasted no time establishing their presence and had revenues of over $1.5 million in the first year. Aerotek—now a part of the Allegis group—is the largest staffing company in the U.S and sixth largest in the world. The industries they serve have evolved from aerospace into many more sectors.

Steve Bisciotti bought a minority interest in the Ravens in 2000 and purchased the remainder of the team from Art Modell in 2004.  He is the second youngest owner in the league behind the Washington Redskins Daniel Snyder. Steve grew up in a lower-middle-class suburb of Maryland, mostly with his mother. When he was eight years old his father passed away.

A devout Catholic, he grew up being a big sports fan with the Baltimore Colts and Orioles as his favorite teams. Bisciotti prefers to keep a low-key profile and doesn’t have an ego pushing him to be in the media.

Bisciotti has seamlessly carried over his progressive corporate philosophies into the NFL.

Successful business people and owners usually surround themselves with smart people and empower them to make key decisions. When they need to step in and make a decision they do that without skipping a beat and then back off instead of micromanaging the rest of the organization.

Since his original minority purchase in 2000 the Ravens have a regular season record of 83-61. The team has made the playoffs five times out of the last eight years including AFC North division championships in 2003 and 2006. Of course the team won the Super Bowl in 2000 thanks in large part to the money invested by Steve which landed some key free agents.

Baltimore looks to continue their run in the 2009 playoffs as they take on Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Even more impressive than his success in and out of the NFL is his commitment to his community as well as charitable causes such as the Mother Seton Academy—a non-tuition catholic middle school for low-income families in Baltimore—and many other charities.

The Ravens owner is also committed to keeping and honoring tradition.

A few years ago there was an auction that included a slew of items belonging to former Baltimore Colt legend, Johnny Unitas. He spent almost $200,000 on several items including the quarterbacks helmet and original contract. He has donated some of it to be on display at Camden Yards. When asked about his purchases he replied, “I don't like stuff like that floating around. For me, it was an opportunity, no matter what the cost is, to stop that from ending up in a private collection. They couldn't charge too much.”