Rams back to LA?

[Doomsday101]

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Fans are wondering about the fate of football in St. Louis as a deadline approaches for a plan to upgrade the home of the Rams.

Next Wednesday, Feb. 1, is the deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the Edward Jones Dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease - and potentially move - after the 2014 season.

The commission has been meeting with city and county officials for several weeks on how to upgrade the dome, and how to pay for it. No one is discussing details. Messages left with Mayor Francis Slay's chief of staff Jeff Rainford and with St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley's spokesman, Mac Scott, were not returned.

Commission President Kathleen Ratcliffe declined comment. The commission said in a statement that the likelihood of success "is enhanced when the parties can make a frank exchange of information, on an ongoing confidential basis."

The stakes could be high.

Los Angeles is seeking an NFL team. Rams owner Stan Kroenke is a Missouri native and played a pivotal role in bringing the team to St. Louis 17 years ago. But he owns an estate in Malibu, is reportedly interested in buying the Los Angeles Dodgers and has been noncommittal about the future of his football team.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/01/25/talks-over-rams-lease-have-st-louis-on-edge/?test=latestnews

[ABQCOWBOY]

The Rams belong in L.A. IMO. Never really liked the idea of them moving to St. Louis. They should go back if the city will make it happen.

[Chocolate Lab]

How long until we hear a drunk Kroenke in a bar slurring, "Jeff's not worth a ****, I love him. Had to hire his *** to get this stajium built."

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

I hope so L.A. needs a football team badly.

[StylisticS]

Nothing against St. Louis but I hope this happens. The Rams belong in LA.

[Hostile]

Then we can send the Cardinals back to St. Louis too. Make me very happy.

I also think they need their old uniforms back the royal blue and yellow. It was a great look. The darker blue and gold...not so much.

[Doomsday101]

Then we can send the Cardinals back to St. Louis too. Make me very happy.

I also think they need their old uniforms back the royal blue and yellow. It was a great look. The darker blue and gold...not so much.

I hated to see all the movement only to see the same city who lost a team get one back

St Louis loses the Cards to Arz but get the Rams out of LA

Baltimore loses the colts but get the former cleveland browns and become the ravens.

Cleveland then gets a new franchise the Browns

Houston loses the Oilers to Tenn then gets another team the Texans

Enough if you can't keep a team then you don't deserve to have a team.

[Sam I Am]

I can't figure out why they keep saying put a team in LA and every team they put in LA leaves. :confused:

[Doomsday101]

I can't figure out why they keep saying put a team in LA and every team they put in LA leaves. :confused:

I agree. I don't know if LA deserves to have a team they had 2 of them in the LA Rams and the LA Raiders and lost them both. I'm sure LA will get a team at some point but this should be it, if they can't keep that team then to hell with LA. If it were my call they would not be getting a team.

[arglebargle]

But if the Rams return to LA, where will the Jaguars finally end up??

[Doomsday101]

But if the Rams return to LA, where will the Jaguars finally end up??

St Louis. :laugh2:

[joseephuss]

I agree. I don't know if LA deserves to have a team they had 2 of them in the LA Rams and the LA Raiders and lost them both. I'm sure LA will get a team at some point but this should be it, if they can't keep that team then to hell with LA. If it were my call they would not be getting a team.

Can you really count the Raiders? Any city would have lost the Raiders. That whole move of leaving and then coming back to Oakland was just Al Davis being Al Davis. I was surprised they lasted in L.A. as long as they did.

[Doomsday101]

Can you really count the Raiders? Any city would have lost the Raiders. That whole move of leaving and then coming back to Oakland was just Al Davis being Al Davis. I was surprised they lasted in L.A. as long as they did.

As much as I count these other cities. Houston for example it was about Bud Adams they did not like him and were not willing to build a stadium so he leaves. What happen the NFL hands Houston the Texans and they build the stadium. It had more to do with the Mayor of Houston and his own dislike of Adams than it did about a new stadium. Most of these moves are just about getting the stadium

[StylisticS]

As long as Los Angeles remains the 2nd largest market in the nation, the NFL will covet them. Just the way it is.

[Doomsday101]

As long as Los Angeles remains the 2nd largest market in the nation, the NFL will covet them. Just the way it is.

I agree. I would hope once they do get a team they stay put if not then they have no business having a team.

[MonsterD]

I hope so L.A. needs a football team badly.

Really? You know why the NFL left? It is simple L.A. is not a football city, they did not care about the Rams or Raiders(except for gangs). L.A. is just not the type of people who are into that, it is filled with actor wannabes and hipsters etc.

I don't get how all the poor people(who like it) in L.A. are going to support theses teams.

[Sam I Am]

As long as Los Angeles remains the 2nd largest market in the nation, the NFL will covet them. Just the way it is.

Why did they let the Rams leave a TV market of 16.5M for a TV market of only 1.2M? (St Louis proper only has 350,000)

Personally, the Rams owners are freaking idiots. This is definitely a case of "You're doing it wrong!".

[Sam I Am]

Really? You know why the NFL left? It is simple L.A. is not a football city, they did not care about the Rams or Raiders(except for gangs). L.A. is just not the type of people who are into that, it is filled with actor wannabes and hipsters etc.

I don't get how all the poor people(who like it) in L.A. are going to support theses teams.

There is 16 million TVs in LA. There are easily enough football fans there to support a team. The problem is, they didn't want to follow the Rams. The Cowboys have a HUGE following in LA.

You want a team in LA? Create a new one or if the Rams are moving back. Change their name to something stronger the do some major marketing for their new team and public relations with the players / cheerleaders.

[ZeroClub]

Then we can send the Cardinals back to St. Louis too. Make me very happy.

I also think they need their old uniforms back the royal blue and yellow. It was a great look. The darker blue and gold...not so much.

I like the basic dark blue and white uniforms and helmets that they wore in the late 60s' and early 70's. Those uniforms had a more classic appeal (like today's Colts).

I remember the first time the Cowboys played the Rams after the Rams switched from the blue and white uniforms to the blue and yellows ... the Dallas Cowboys radio team (Verne Lundquist and Al Wisk) laughed and said that the revived blue and yellows looked like Roller Derby uniforms!

(That was nearly 40 years ago. Odd that I'd remember that, but for some reason it stuck with me.)

[Doomsday101]

I like the basic dark blue and white uniforms and helmets that they wore in the late 60s' and early 70's. Those uniforms had a more classic appeal (like today's Colts).

I remember the first time the Cowboys played the Rams after the Rams switched from the blue and white uniforms to the blue and yellows ... the Dallas Cowboys radio team (Verne Lundquist and Al Wisk) laughed and said that the revived blue and yellows looked like Roller Derby uniforms!

(That was nearly 40 years ago. Odd that I'd remember that, but for some reason it stuck with me.)

And Roman Gabriel was the QB

[MonsterD]

There is 16 million TVs in LA. There are easily enough football fans there to support a team. The problem is, they didn't want to follow the Rams. The Cowboys have a HUGE following in LA.

You want a team in LA? Create a new one or if the Rams are moving back. Change their name to something stronger the do some major marketing for their new team and public relations with the players / cheerleaders.

I just don't see it, how they will get people in the stadium. I know there can be a large population of fans of a team there, but they seemingly don't care about a local team. I would live to see what would happen if the NFL put a team in Paris, lot of TVs there too.

[ZeroClub]

And Roman Gabriel was the QB

That's right, Gabriel wore the blue and white Rams uniform throughout almost all of his career with the Rams.

Early in his career he wore a blue and yellow Rams uniform ... just before the Rams switched to blue and white.

Gabriel was an Eagle by the time the Rams changed their uniforms back to blue and yellow.

[burmafrd]

LA does not care much about football; has not for years. About the only team the town supports in the pros is the Lakers. Even the enthusiasm for the Dodgers is not great. Nuts the USC team that was contending for the NC just about every year was greeted with a yawn there by everyone except their Alums.

[Doomsday101]

LA does not care much about football; has not for years. About the only team the town supports in the pros is the Lakers. Even the enthusiasm for the Dodgers is not great. Nuts the USC team that was contending for the NC just about every year was greeted with a yawn there by everyone except their Alums.

Well they do have Pro team it is USC, player have to take a pay cut when they leave USC to go to the NFL. :laugh2:

[FootballFan1]

I am sorry to hear that St. Louis might be losing a team. Where is Orthwein??? Well actually went to look it up - he died in 2008. That explains it. Guess he loved St. Louis, and would do anything to have a team there. But still do not understand why they cannot support a football team.

St. Louis, I have only been there once in my life. And went to the zoo there, the one that was a big deal many years ago. They have around 3 million people in the greater metro area, certainly enough to support a team. I know Orthwein bought the Patriots with thoughts of bringing them to St. Louis. We would have gotten another team, but it is not the point. The power of money. He actually was a class act, and sold the team to Kraft - a season ticket holder, allbeit, a rich one (actually it was his wife's money).

But I just looked at the lowest attendance in the NFL - they mention Oakland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Tampa Bay. I know it is true about Tampa Bay, they cannot fill the stadium and I could buy a ticket for around $35. I have thought about going to a few games, just to see NFL football live again. Just do not want to sit in the heat. A little snow is fine by me. But I really would like to see an NFL game again - and at that price why not.

This thing with LA, they are never going to be able to support a team. Just do not see it happening. And it has been proven, time and time again. Football is a sport to be played out in elements. And San Francisco is actually usually cold during the whole year (well cold is relative) and perfect for football. San Diego is holding up well in the sunny skies of California. So to me, San Francisco and San Diego are teams that will last forever in California. But Oakland and LA, nope. Just let it go. LA is la,la land. Sit in a stadium and get serious about football??? Why bother, better things to do!

I have always felt that California is far and away the most beautiful state in the country. But never liked LA. Nope, you can have it.

In order to support a team there must be passion for the team. Not just going to a game, but passion. If it is not there, tough to keep a team. There are very few teams that have that kind of passion. St. Louis and LA are not on the list. And it doesn't mean a winning team, rather a passion for the game.

I have no problem with them cutting back on the number of teams. That said, NFL football is the number one sport in America and a city like St. Louis should be able to support a team. LA, well, who knows, but I would never see LA as a football town. Unless college football.

[Doomsday101]

I am sorry to hear that St. Louis might be losing a team. Where is Orthwein??? Well actually went to look it up - he died in 2008. That explains it. Guess he loved St. Louis, and would do anything to have a team there. But still do not understand why they cannot support a football team.

St. Louis, I have only been there once in my life. And went to the zoo there, the one that was a big deal many years ago. They have around 3 million people in the greater metro area, certainly enough to support a team. I know Orthwein bought the Patriots with thoughts of bringing them to St. Louis. We would have gotten another team, but it is not the point. The power of money. He actually was a class act, and sold the team to Kraft - a season ticket holder, allbeit, a rich one (actually it was his wife's money).

But I just looked at the lowest attendance in the NFL - they mention Oakland, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Tampa Bay. I know it is true about Tampa Bay, they cannot fill the stadium and I could buy a ticket for around $35. I have thought about going to a few games, just to see NFL football live again. Just do not want to sit in the heat. A little snow is fine by me. But I really would like to see an NFL game again - and at that price why not.

This thing with LA, they are never going to be able to support a team. Just do not see it happening. And it has been proven, time and time again. Football is a sport to be played out in elements. And San Francisco is actually usually cold during the whole year (well cold is relative) and perfect for football. San Diego is holding up well in the sunny skies of California. So to me, San Francisco and San Diego are teams that will last forever in California. But Oakland and LA, nope. Just let it go. LA is la,la land. Sit in a stadium and get serious about football??? Why bother, better things to do!

I have always felt that California is far and away the most beautiful state in the country. But never liked LA. Nope, you can have it.

In order to support a team there must be passion for the team. Not just going to a game, but passion. If it is not there, tough to keep a team. There are very few teams that have that kind of passion. St. Louis and LA are not on the list. And it doesn't mean a winning team, rather a passion for the game.

I have no problem with them cutting back on the number of teams. That said, NFL football is the number one sport in America and a city like St. Louis should be able to support a team. LA, well, who knows, but I would never see LA as a football town. Unless college football.

It comes down to 1 simple thing "Stadium"

"Next Wednesday, Feb. 1, is the deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the Edward Jones Dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease - and potentially move - after the 2014 season."

Vikes talked about leaving because of the stadium and of course the revenues that come from that stadium.

[joseephuss]

Why did they let the Rams leave a TV market of 16.5M for a TV market of only 1.2M? (St Louis proper only has 350,000)

Personally, the Rams owners are freaking idiots. This is definitely a case of "You're doing it wrong!".

St. Louis built a stadium. There isn't a good, state-of-the-art football stadium in L.A. And now St. Louis won't build another stadium, which I don't blame them for not doing. Their current dome is only 16 years old. There has been a fight for many years to build a good football stadium in L.A. They just won't do it.

[Yeagermeister]

I agree. I don't know if LA deserves to have a team they had 2 of them in the LA Rams and the LA Raiders and lost them both. I'm sure LA will get a team at some point but this should be it, if they can't keep that team then to hell with LA. If it were my call they would not be getting a team.

Actually they have had 3 Rams, Raiders and Chargers

[joseephuss]

Actually they have had 3 Rams, Raiders and Chargers

But the Chargers were just an AFL team. :D

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I agree. I don't know if LA deserves to have a team they had 2 of them in the LA Rams and the LA Raiders and lost them both. I'm sure LA will get a team at some point but this should be it, if they can't keep that team then to hell with LA. If it were my call they would not be getting a team.

Its politics. LA County knows they are one of the largest media markets in the world and will not cut cherry deals for franchises. St. Louis and Oakland have no such distinction and will be more than happy to do so.

I am not surprised with how the NFL tries to negotiate that they have no deal with LA just like it is little surprise Dallas and the Cowboys could not work something out either.

[JoeCorrado]

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Fans are wondering about the fate of football in St. Louis as a deadline approaches for a plan to upgrade the home of the Rams.

Next Wednesday, Feb. 1, is the deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the Edward Jones Dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease - and potentially move - after the 2014 season.


The lease specifies that the Edward Jones Dome must remain in the top 25% of stadiums in the league. This will be to some degree a subjective measuring stick. I do know that Jerry sure didn't do them any favors when he built Cowboy's Stadium.

The sense I get living in the area, is that the new ownership wants to make a move and that with the economic situation the city and state may be ill equipped to do the things needed to upgrade the stadium UNLESS new owner Stan Keoenke wants to assist in funding.

On a side note, Stan is now interested in purchasing the Dodgers. Wouldn't it be convenient if both his teams were located in the same city? I doubt he plans on moving the Dodgers to St. Louis.

[JockDallas]

This is something I have neve understood. How can team owners just up and leave their fans and history. Soccer teams here may occassional change names, or move stadiums but always generally stay within the local area. Those who have moved have struggled to get old fans to go to the new area and to encourage fans from the new area to attend.
Why does LA fail to keep teams? I assumed that there would be no problems there.

[baj1dallas]

Nothing against St. Louis but I hope this happens. The Rams belong in LA.

St. Louis deserves a team way more than LA does. StL is a great sports town.

[joseephuss]

St. Louis deserves a team way more than LA does. StL is a great sports town.

No, it is a great baseball town.

[Biggems]

I hated to see all the movement only to see the same city who lost a team get one back

St Louis loses the Cards to Arz but get the Rams out of LA

Baltimore loses the colts but get the former cleveland browns and become the ravens.

Cleveland then gets a new franchise the Browns

Houston loses the Oilers to Tenn then gets another team the Texans

Enough if you can't keep a team then you don't deserve to have a team.


If I am not mistaken, the issue with Houston was the city being tired of Bud Adams and refusing to help him in any way shape or form....so he took his franchise and left. If the Oilers had a different owner, one the city didn't despise, the Oilers would have never left and they have a new stadium.

[big dog cowboy]

I hope so L.A. needs a football team badly.

Why? They seem to be fine without one and didn't support one when they did.

[kmp77]

Why? They seem to be fine without one and didn't support one when they did.

This. LA has had plenty of opportunities. They suck for football. Don't screw over St Louis.

[Aikbach]

This is what people don't understand about LA, less than a third of the people that live there are NATIVE, there is no regional loyalty, it's a transient town predicated on the entertainment industry full of people from elsewhere in the country and world.

LA is a place of business, to few is it really a home.

The most popular football teams in LA County are USC, the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, in that order.

USC is LA's pro team.

Another pro team will fail if they aren't winners, they'll be like the Clippers, no one will care.

[Joshmil53]

I live 10 minutes from St. Louis. I wouldn't mind if they move back, I'm embarrassed to call them my home team.

[jcollins28]

This is what people don't understand about LA, less than a third of the people that live there are NATIVE, there is no regional loyalty, it's a transient town predicated on the entertainment industry full of people from elsewhere in the country and world.

LA is a place of business, to few is it really a home.

The most popular football teams in LA County are USC, the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, in that order.

USC is LA's pro team.

Another pro team will fail if they aren't winners, they'll be like the Clippers, no one will care.

Dallas is every bit the melting pot that L.A is. USC will never make the salary cap so they cant play in the NFL. There was no love lost between the murderer (Georgia Frontiere) and the fan base here in So-Cal when the Rams left town. I think a team would work here but it would have to be the right team and a new stadium that is not the Colosseum or Rose Bowl.

[baj1dallas]

No, it is a great baseball town.

sorry but you're wrong.

[Rogah]

I hated to see all the movement only to see the same city who lost a team get one back

St Louis loses the Cards to Arz but get the Rams out of LA

Baltimore loses the colts but get the former cleveland browns and become the ravens.

Cleveland then gets a new franchise the Browns

Houston loses the Oilers to Tenn then gets another team the Texans

Enough if you can't keep a team then you don't deserve to have a team.Those are all relatively small market cities that genuinely benefit from the prestige of having an NFL team. L.A. doesn't really need an NFL team to feel good about themselves. I honestly don't care if anyone moves to L.A. but all those other cities lost an NFL team then went crawling back to the league to get another. L.A. refuses to do so.

[Rogah]

As long as Los Angeles remains the 2nd largest market in the nation, the NFL will covet them. Just the way it is.The league covets L.A. but no individual owner wants to go there since L.A. isn't going to essentially give any owner about a half a billion dollar stadium for free.

[Rogah]

Why did they let the Rams leave a TV market of 16.5M for a TV market of only 1.2M? (St Louis proper only has 350,000)

Personally, the Rams owners are freaking idiots. This is definitely a case of "You're doing it wrong!".The Rams owners aren't idiots, they did the smart thing. They were playing before a half empty stadium quite regularly in L.A. They made a truckload of money when they moved to St. Louis. This isn't baseball where you need to be in a big market to succeed. The lion's share of NFL revenue comes from TV contracts which are split equally among all teams. It's not like they are the Yankees or Red Sox who need high tickets sales and high TV ratings.

[Rogah]

The lease specifies that the Edward Jones Dome must remain in the top 25% of stadiums in the league. This will be to some degree a subjective measuring stick. I do know that Jerry sure didn't do them any favors when he built Cowboy's Stadium.I think there have been something like 20 new stadiums built since that one. So I can't imagine any measuring stick that puts it in the top 8.

[Rogah]

If I am not mistaken, the issue with Houston was the city being tired of Bud Adams and refusing to help him in any way shape or form....so he took his franchise and left. If the Oilers had a different owner, one the city didn't despise, the Oilers would have never left and they have a new stadium.That's pretty much the story in Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston and St. Louis:

1) Local NFL franchise wants a sweetheart stadium deal
2) City plays hardball, virtually daring them to leave
3) Team leaves
4) City decides it needs NFL, goes crawling back to league
5) City offers new owner sweetheart stadium deal
6) Some owner accepts, moves to city

But L.A. refused to engage in step 4, which is why it's been almost 2 decades since they had the NFL.

[crazytown41]

You guys do realize the Rams and Raiders left because LA wouldn't build them a new stadium, right? Had nothing to do with lack of fan support.

I guess Seattle fans deserved to lose their NBA team too. Pathetic losers wouldn't fund billionaires a new stadium. :o:

[SaltwaterServr]

The league covets L.A. but no individual owner wants to go there since L.A. isn't going to essentially give any owner about a half a billion dollar stadium for free.

Don't see why not. They gave a pedophile a $4million dollar funeral on the taxpayer's account.

[rantanamo]

In case some haven't been following the stadium issue in LA, here's a great thread. Basically they are waiting on a team to build.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1252959

[Doomsday101]

If I am not mistaken, the issue with Houston was the city being tired of Bud Adams and refusing to help him in any way shape or form....so he took his franchise and left. If the Oilers had a different owner, one the city didn't despise, the Oilers would have never left and they have a new stadium.

True but they built is for the Texans. The Major at the time and Bud did not like each other at all and he was not going to work with Bud. However when Houston got a chance to get a team they built the new stadium. This was more to do about personality than a stadium

[csirl]

On a side note, Stan is now interested in purchasing the Dodgers. Wouldn't it be convenient if both his teams were located in the same city? I doubt he plans on moving the Dodgers to St. Louis.

He also owns a soccer team in London - would be convenient for the Rams to move there.....and because they have already partially moved there - playing home games in Wembley for the next 3 years.

[Rogah]

He also owns a soccer team in London - would be convenient for the Rams to move there.....and because they have already partially moved there - playing home games in Wembley for the next 3 years.There's nothing "convenient" about a move to London. Any team based there would be an absolute disaster. Free agents would avoid it like the plague. And your shortest trip is 5 time zones and thousands of miles away.

They give a bye week to the teams after they come home from London, but you couldn't give a bye week every week to a team based there.