So...now what?
I've been a PSL owner and season ticket holder since the Rams came to St. Louis. Started with two other partners, sharing 8 tickets; eventually down to 4 seats, shared with one other partner. Now that partner has opted out. We now have good seats in the Dome; not sure whether to re-up for season tickets for next year.
Two months ago, I was sure; I was done. The NFL had a tough public relations year; Stan Kroenke clearly was hoping to move the Rams to LA; the Dome (I represented the contractor that built the Dome in the 1990s, so was invested) was being dissed regularly; attendance was slowly diminishing, as the Rams continued their decade-plus of futility; the people I used to tailgate with now had other interests; the big lot where we used to tailgate was now a casino; and the team continued as a roster-without-a-quarterback, as Sam Bradford was once again injured. I legitimately felt that 2014 was the Rams' make-it-or-break-it year for me; and I thought "break-it" was the result as soon as Bradford (again) tore his ACL in preseason. I was too smart to be duped again, particularly if I had to go it alone on the season ticket route.
It seemed to me that the Rams were faced with two Rubik's cube problems; one, how to fix the stadium issue and retain the NFL in St. Louis; and two, a roster without a durable quarterback, and with no options I could see; a brittle QB with the last-big-contract-before-the-rookie-cap collar on him.
Then, the worm started to turn; first at the 30,000 feet level; now with the team itself. The turn started with Gov. Nixon, of all people, announcing that he had no intention of letting St. Louis lose its status as an NFL city; then with Dave Peacock being named to head the development team; now with actual stadium proposals (which I love), plus real competition for Kroenke's Inglewood plans in the form of the Chargers and Raiders. Hmmmm...pretty interesting. Thinking dispassionately, I decided my bottom line was that St. Louis remain an NFL city, even if the Rams left for LA. I'd still care about the Rams, but from a distance, and not as I did in the GSOT days.
Now the Rams football leadership has begun work on the roster problem, as well. No cap room? Cut Wells, and Jake Long; and trade your $13Million QB for one who makes $1.5Million, and voila! Suddenly $28Million to play with under the salary cap. Then add Ayers, and Fairley. Suddenly, the Rams have a defensive line made up of five first-round picks, and speedy outside linebackers - the kind you need to cover tight ends, even the new one of the Seahawks. Still need to work on the offensive line, but...now there's cap room; and the Rams pick #10; likelihood is that the Rams should be able to get an O-lineman; or Amari Cooper; OR maybe trade up for Marcus Mariota. Hmmmm again...now getting really interesting.
Now I have a month to decide whether to renew my season tickets. For a lame duck year? No way! But...this team looks like it might be kinda fun. And...is there any way the Rams - or whoever might occupy a new stadium - would give special consideration to an original, PSL-buying, 20+ year season ticket holder in the new stadium? Now, THAT would burn; if I gave up my season tickets for this year, and in so doing gave up my place in line at a new stadium. But it also would burn if I renewed my tickets; the new stadium never got built; and the Rams didn't even stay.
A conundrum. Thank God the snow is gone; if this rain ever stops, at least I can play golf while I mull over my options. Cost is about $3500 per year for four seats; not bad if they're competitive; a waste if they're not. Looking for some guidance; if you were in my position, what would you do?
