The Colts’ big move to the Circle City INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In celebration of WISH-TV’s 70th Anniversary, we are highlighting the Colt’s move from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. On March 29, 1984, Indianapolis woke up to find that they were getting an NFL team out of the blue. For years, Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay had been considering moving out of Baltimore to somewhere that had a modern sports stadium, big enough to house the Colts. Enter: the Hoosier Dome. The state of Maryland was about to make a decision that would change the Colts forever—two words: Eminent domain. The team was worried about the state taking it over and not allowing Colts owner Jim Irsay to move the team. “I was just disturbed because they were negotiating with me and they pulled one of these tricks,” Irsay said in an interview. “So I said one trick deserves another. So we played a little trick on them and we packed up and left.” On March 28, 1984, a sleet of moving vans pulled away from the Colts’ Maryland offices, the destination uncertain until the next day. The now-famous Mayflower Trucks took different routes out so as not to be nabbed by the Maryland state police. The trucks were loaded with helmets, cleats, jerseys, and anything else the team used. Nothing was left behind. WISH-TV photographer Jim Hester was assigned to visit the Indianapolis airport and see if anything Colts-related could be found. Joining him was WISH-TV anchor David Barras. “And we’re watching because we really have no idea who’s in the jet or what this jet is,” said Barras, “We have no idea if it has anything to do with the Colts at all. And this guy just walks off the plane and I said, ‘Hey, are you with the Colts?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m the their attorney.'” When Barras asked if the Colts were moving to Indianapolis, the attorney confirmed that they were. Not only that, the Colts were already on their way! David Barras and Jim Hester scrambled for a phone. They couldn’t risk being overheard on a two-way radio. The next stop? Mayor Hudnut’s office, where he then formally announced the Colts were coming. After some tricks and a fleet of trucks, all of a sudden, Indi-no-place had transformed into a sports destination. Web Extras History of the Colts transfer from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984 The Colts were transferred In the dead of night on March 28, 1984. In this package, WISH-TV recaps the chaotic February to August 1984, after the football team was transferred from Baltimore and settled in Indianapolis. The story ran right before the first Colts game at the Hoosier Dome. Colts football team first arrives in Indianapolis Ten moving vans containing Colt’s equipment and records from Baltimore arrived in Indianapolis on Thursday, March 29. ...read more read less