Local broadcaster Mike Claiborne joined The Hollywood Casino Press Box to discuss several different St. Louis sports topics, including a new report the Rams are behind the Chargers and Raiders in the race to the Los Angeles market.
Listen to Claiborne Interview
On report in the Business Insider that the Raiders and Chargers have a "big lead" over the Rams in the race to LA because of the number of votes Kroenke will have to get:
"You have to remember...Stan Kroenke isn't the most popular owners amongst his group. It's just a cleaner separation where you're keeping teams in California. Their fans will travel to Carson. I agree that they are certainly well up (over the Rams). Whoever builds a facility, it's got to house two teams. I don't think Stan Kroenke has the popularity working for him because he's created a mess for the NFL in how he handled this thing."
On how awkward it would be if Kroenke was forced to keep the Rams in St. Louis:
"Nobody knows Stank Kroenke. I think it's going to be more challenging than people think. Me personally, I don't see how I could even think about supporting a guy who's held St. Louis hostage the way he has. It's one thing to negotiate. I think we all understand negotiations...There hasn't been a negotiation. It's just been one mistake after another. We in the Midwest have always had touchy-feely relationship with our owners, whether it's the DeWitts or going back to the Solomons with the Blues. In Kroenke's case, he doesn't do anything. I think the fans are fed up with the way this thing has worked to the point where...he might try somebody to buy the team. But I don't know if his ego would allow that to happen if he was out of the NFL 'boy's club.'"
What do you think attendance will at the Edward Jones Dome this year?
"I think 20,000 people (per game). Here's why: I know people were saying at one point last year that we have to buy tickets to show the league we really mean business. If they would've sold that thing out every week I don't think it's going to make a difference to Stan Kroenke. Anybody with common sense would understand (not supporting him). It's not that St. Louis isn't going to support the Rams. They're just not going to (put money in Stan Kroenke's pockets)."
More on attendance:
"Let me say this: If the Cardinals find themselves playing well into October, then you're going to see some lower numbers. What happens if the Rams get off to a 1-4 start? What's going to be the reason (to go to the games) if the Cardinals are in the playoffs and the Blues get off to a good start?"
http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLc...-Reports-Possible-Rams-Attendance-Issues.aspx