New: Latest on Kroenke, Rams and NFL in STL

[ChrisW]

Did they really just send a guy out there to see the area? They couldn't have hired a guy already in LA to take some photographs, or used some older photographs? Dirt has been moving since last summer, what a waste of time.

I don't know how much they charge. But it might have been cheaper just to fly out there. But still, either he didn't do any digging on permits...or they just don't care to include it.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I don't know how much they charge. But it might have been cheaper just to fly out there. But still, either he didn't do any digging on permits...or they just don't care to include it.

They could have paid me a hundred bucks to go and do it, or any of the million other aspiring artists or photographers in LA.

 

[ChrisW]

They could have paid me a hundred bucks to go and do it, or any of the million other aspiring artists or photographers in LA.

Yea, I guess it just comes down to someone who's already on the payroll.

 

[RamFan503]

Yea, I guess it just comes down to someone who's already on the payroll.

And wants a paid trip out to LA.

 

[ChrisW]

I hope they've moved their timeline up by securing most of the land on the riverfront. I guess the next step is financing, eh? Excited to hear more.


View: https://twitter.com/tmckernan/status/564923703385788416

 

[LesBaker]

It's the epic battle of Kroenke & Company's pretty drawing vs. Peacock & Blitz's pretty drawing!

We should get an animated cartoon show going about this, like Celebrity Death Match.

I think we can monetize this whole thing.

 

[bluecoconuts]

Apparently someone in the NFL leaked some memo about a committee that they formed to get a team back in LA, with their jobs being to explore how good the stadium is etc. Said that Kansas City, New England, New York, Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Houston owners were all on it, so you'd have to imagine they are yes votes for Stan, along with Dallas and himself. I'll get the article when I'm out of class if someone else doesn't get it first. It seems that the NFL wants to move as a group on St Louis instead of just one team. Which could be a good or bad thing for Stan.

 

[Boffo97]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-nfl-la-memo-20150209-story.html

NFL forms L.A. committee, reminds teams they need OK to move, memo says
By Sam Farmer

SHARELINES
* NFL memo obtained by The Times reminds NFL teams that the league makes relocation decisions
* NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces formation of 'Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities' in memo
* Newly formed committee will 'evaluate the various stadium options available' for potential NFL teams in L.A.

As the owner of the St. Louis Rams inches closer to a possible relocation of his team to Los Angeles, the NFL on Monday reminded all 32 teams in a memo that the league as a whole – not an individual club – will make the major decisions regarding relocation.

The memo was provided to The Times by an individual not authorized to speak on behalf of the league.

In the memo, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the forming of the “Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities,” consisting of owners Clark Hunt of Kansas City, Robert Kraft of New England, John Mara of the New York Giants, Bob McNair of Houston, Jerry Richardson of Carolina and Art Rooney of Pittsburgh.

That group of owners had been working together for months on the L.A. issue, but had not been formally identified as a committee.

The newly formed committee will “evaluate the various stadium options available in Los Angeles, oversee the application of the relocation guidelines in the event that one or more clubs seek to move to Los Angeles, ensure proper coordination with other standing committees … and confirm that all steps taken in Los Angeles are consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws and NFL policies.”

Although the memo does not specifically name the Rams, San Diego Chargers or Oakland Raiders – all three on year-to-year leases and mulling a relocation – it is clearly a reminder to them that the league has no intention of straying from protocol and allowing a club to unilaterally decide to move and begin construction of a stadium in the L.A. area.

Last month, Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced plans to build an 80,000-seat football stadium on the Hollywood Park site, nearly 300 acres in Inglewood.

The memo reads:

“In particular, as has been discussed on numerous occasions and confirmed in various memoranda, any decision to resume NFL team operations in Los Angeles will require multiple approvals from NFL ownership, which can only be granted by a three-fourths vote of the clubs. These decisions include selection of a stadium site; approval of stadium lease and financing arrangements; and debt ceiling and sharing waivers (if needed); relocation consent and terms; and Super Bowl awards, among other subjects. A key role of this Special Committee will be to preserve the voting rights of the clubs on each of these important issues.”

Despite its assertions that it controls the L.A. market, the NFL does not have a strong track record of keeping teams determined to relocate from moving.

 

[Boffo97]

Despite its assertions that it controls the L.A. market, the NFL does not have a strong track record of keeping teams determined to relocate from moving.

To me, this is key to the article. Goodell would LIKE to have control of this process, I'm sure. But I peg Stan as a guy who will go along with the process only so long as it suits him. And I don't think the bylaws are going to stop him from doing otherwise.

 

[BuiltRamTough]

The memo basically says that it is going to come down to a vote by the owners. Which we already knew

 

[bluecoconuts]

The memo basically says that it is going to come down to a vote by the owners. Which we already knew

More or less, the names was what interested me, as you gotta think they're yes votes. So them added to the NFC West, Stan himself, and Jerry means he likely has about 11 yes votes at least, and some of them are pretty big name owners.

 

[BuiltRamTough]

More or less, the names was what interested me, as you gotta think they're yes votes. So them added to the NFC West, Stan himself, and Jerry means he likely has about 11 yes votes at least, and some of them are pretty big name owners.

Don't worry bro Stan will get the YES votes lol. The NFL which includes Stan is just trying to get all 3 teams new stadiums. Two might play in one stadium. They don't want a loser in this race. Oakland, San Diego and Louie is hitting the panic button. This is all planned. You watch and see at the end of the day these 3 teams will get to play in a new stadium where ever it is.

 

[Blue and Gold]

NFL reminds teams approval is needed to move to L.A. (even if it isn’t)
Posted by Mike Florio on February 9, 2015, 6:06 PM EST

Getty Images
As the Rams apparently prepare to move back to Los Angeles, the NFL is doing the best it can to retain the perception that it controls the process. Even if it ultimately doesn’t.

According to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, the NFL issued a memo on Mondayreminding all teams that the league, not any one team, will decide who (if anyone) moves to Los Angeles.

The memo explains that the NFL has formed a “Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities,” which will include Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Giants co-owner John Mara, Texans owner Bob McNair, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, and Steelers owner Art Rooney II.

Says the memorandum, per Farmer: “In particular, as has been discussed on numerous occasions and confirmed in various memoranda, any decision to resume NFL team operations in Los Angeles will require multiple approvals from NFL ownership, which can only be granted by a three-fourths vote of the clubs. These decisions include selection of a stadium site; approval of stadium lease and financing arrangements; and debt ceiling and sharing waivers (if needed); relocation consent and terms; and Super Bowl awards, among other subjects. A key role of this Special Committee will be to preserve the voting rights of the clubs on each of these important issues.”

That’s fine, but the fact remains that any effort by 31 different businesses to tell one business how (and where) it will do business becomes a potential violation of the antitrust laws. Late Raiders owner Al Davis fought that fight and won it three decades ago. If Rams owner Stan Kroenke plans to do the same thing, he could win, too.

The real question is whether Kroenke is willing to dare his partners to try to stop him — and to fight them in court if they do.

 

[ChrisW]

To me, this is key to the article. Goodell would LIKE to have control of this process, I'm sure. But I peg Stan as a guy who will go along with the process only so long as it suits him. And I don't think the bylaws are going to stop him from doing otherwise.

A lot has changed since the 90s. I'm not sure you'll see teams moving like they did back then. I don't even know if an anti-trust lawsuit would work since they tightened up the by-laws.

 

[Boffo97]

A lot has changed since the 90s. I'm not sure you'll see teams moving like they did back then. I don't even know if an anti-trust lawsuit would work since they tightened up the by-laws.

We will see... although I still think St. Louis would be absolutely ill-advised to depend on the bylaws at all.

 

[RamFan503]

A lot has changed since the 90s. I'm not sure you'll see teams moving like they did back then. I don't even know if an anti-trust lawsuit would work since they tightened up the by-laws.

I just don't actually know about that. What specifically have they done in tightening up the bylaws that would make a move more difficult? When the league voted on whether to allow Georgia to move the team, it was 23-6 against. I haven't seen anything in the by-laws that has substantially changed since the move in '95. Just because the league added a few additional "strong" statements, I just don't see the binding changes. They always were "required" to demonstrate largely the same criteria and get a 3/4 majority vote before being allowed to move. I realize there was legislation intended to make moves by pro sports teams more difficult but that never passed.

So what exactly is it that has changed? Goodell saying he's now serious about it?

I'd really like to know if anyone can tell us what those actionable changes are. I read through the rules regarding it and simply don't see it. One thing that I do see that I think makes it hard for the NFL to block a move is this:

In evaluating a proposed franchise relocation and making the business judgment inherent in such consideration, the membership is entitled to consider a wide range of appropriate factors. Each club should consider whether the League's collective interests (which include, for example, the League's television interests, the League's interest in strong and geographically distributed franchises, the League's interest in securing attractive stadium facilities in which to play its games, and the League's interest in having financially viable franchises) would be advanced or harmed by allowing a club to leave its assigned home territory to assume a League-owned opportunity in another community. These collective interests generally include having clubs in the country's most populous areas, taking into account competitive entertainment alternatives, stadium options, and other factors.

I just don't see any way the league can seriously expect to block a move unless Stan actually wants to keep the team in St Louis or if another stadium project beats out the Inglewood project.

 

[Boffo97]

Dammit. Florio agrees with me. I might have to reconsider.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...val-is-needed-to-move-to-l-a-even-if-it-isnt/

NFL reminds teams approval is needed to move to L.A. (even if it isn’t)
Posted by Mike Florio on February 9, 2015, 6:06 PM EST

As the Rams apparently prepare to move back to Los Angeles, the NFL is doing the best it can to retain the perception that it controls the process. Even if it ultimately doesn’t.

According to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, the NFL issued a memo on Monday reminding all teams that the league, not any one team, will decide who (if anyone) moves to Los Angeles.

The memo explains that the NFL has formed a “Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities,” which will include Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Giants co-owner John Mara, Texans owner Bob McNair, Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, and Steelers owner Art Rooney II.

Says the memorandum, per Farmer: “In particular, as has been discussed on numerous occasions and confirmed in various memoranda, any decision to resume NFL team operations in Los Angeles will require multiple approvals from NFL ownership, which can only be granted by a three-fourths vote of the clubs. These decisions include selection of a stadium site; approval of stadium lease and financing arrangements; and debt ceiling and sharing waivers (if needed); relocation consent and terms; and Super Bowl awards, among other subjects. A key role of this Special Committee will be to preserve the voting rights of the clubs on each of these important issues.”

That’s fine, but the fact remains that any effort by 31 different businesses to tell one business how (and where) it will do business becomes a potential violation of the antitrust laws. Late Raiders owner Al Davis fought that fight and won it three decades ago. If Rams owner Stan Kroenke plans to do the same thing, he could win, too.

The real question is whether Kroenke is willing to dare his partners to try to stop him — and to fight them in court if they do.

 

[RamFan503]

@Boffo97 Look four posts above yours.

 

[RamBill]

Nixon to announce progress on new riverfront stadium
• By David Hunn, Tim Bryant

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...cle_b8b0907a-01be-5d7e-a68e-893e92aded1c.html

ST. LOUIS • The effort to build a new football stadium along the north riverfront is creeping forward.

Gov. Jay Nixon is set to announce Tuesday that regional officials have cut deals with Ameren Missouri and the Terminal Railroad Association concerning land the two agencies own in the proposed stadium’s footprint.

Railroad association President Mike McCarthy said Monday that the association has a nonbinding letter of intent to move the rail line that bisects the proposed stadium’s site. The plan is to curve part of the line westward to accommodate the stadium. McCarthy said railroad engineers have looked over the plan and found it doable.

“We have yet to come up with anything that looks like a fatal flaw,” he said.

The lines carries about 15 freight trains a day, McCarthy said. If relocated, it would have a gentle enough curve to accommodate the faster Amtrak trains proposed to run to Chicago. Walkways over the relocated line would connect the stadium to parking lots.

A spokesman for Ameren, which has power lines running through the site and a substation taking up a block, declined to comment.

This fall, Nixon appointed former Anheuser-Busch President David Peacock and current Edward Jones Dome attorney Robert Blitz to craft a proposal for a new stadium, in hopes they could keep the St. Louis Rams from leaving the region.

In January, Peacock and Blitz unveiled plans for a 64,000-seat, open-air arena along the Mississippi River north of downtown.

And last week, the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority hired its first consultant, John Loyd, to pin down details of the plan.

Meanwhile, Stan Kroenke, owner of the Rams, is making strides toward construction of an 80,000-seat stadium in Inglewood, Calif., just south of downtown Los Angeles.

The National Football League insists relocation decisions must go before team owners. A committee of owners from six teams — Kansas City, Boston, New York, Houston, Carolina and Pittsburgh — has worked for months on stadium options in Los Angeles.

Jacob Barker of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

 

[ChrisW]

I just don't actually know about that. What specifically have they done in tightening up the bylaws that would make a move more difficult? When the league voted on whether to allow Georgia to move the team, it was 23-6 against. I haven't seen anything in the by-laws that has substantially changed since the move in '95. Just because the league added a few additional "strong" statements, I just don't see the binding changes. They always were "required" to demonstrate largely the same criteria and get a 3/4 majority vote before being allowed to move. I realize there was legislation intended to make moves by pro sports teams more difficult but that never passed.

So what exactly is it that has changed? Goodell saying he's now serious about it?

I'd really like to know if anyone can tell us what those actionable changes are. I read through the rules regarding it and simply don't see it. One thing that I do see that I think makes it hard for the NFL to block a move is this:

In evaluating a proposed franchise relocation and making the business judgment inherent in such consideration, the membership is entitled to consider a wide range of appropriate factors. Each club should consider whether the League's collective interests (which include, for example, the League's television interests, the League's interest in strong and geographically distributed franchises, the League's interest in securing attractive stadium facilities in which to play its games, and the League's interest in having financially viable franchises) would be advanced or harmed by allowing a club to leave its assigned home territory to assume a League-owned opportunity in another community. These collective interests generally include having clubs in the country's most populous areas, taking into account competitive entertainment alternatives, stadium options, and other factors.

I just don't see any way the league can seriously expect to block a move unless Stan actually wants to keep the team in St Louis or if another stadium project beats out the Inglewood project.

I just know that these days they value keeping the franchise in the existing city. Moving isn't something that can happen willy-nilly. It HAS to be a last ditch option.