2. This clearly buys St. Louis more time. As I have written many times, the NFL would be more lenient in allowing Kroenke to move if inertia set in and no effort was made to solve the long-term stadium issue here. But if this launch leads to a stadium plan being unveiled over the next couple of months — and I'm confident it will — then the NFL is highly unlikely to allow Kroenke to take the Rams elsewhere. This will effectively stop the clock on a move for the 2015 season.
To elaborate: the NFL rules on franchise relocation guidelines prevent an owner from running away with his team just because, well, you know, he feels like doing so.
Here's Article 4.3, section A of the NFL bylaws, and I've italicized the essential part:
"Because League policy favors stable team-community relations, clubs are obligated to work diligently and in good faith to obtain and to maintain suitable stadium facilities in their home territories, and to operate in a manner that maximizes fan support in their current home community."
And:
"If, having diligently engaged in good faith efforts, a club concludes that it cannot obtain a satisfactory resolution of its stadium needs, it may inform the League Office and the stadium landlord or other relevant public authorities that it has reached a stalemate in those negotiations. Upon such a declaration, the League may elect to become directly involved in the negotiations."
In other words ... even if the eventual negotiations between the Rams and the stadium task force reach an impasse, then the league will step in and try to help broker a deal.
So we're a couple of pretty significant stages away from Kroenke getting a green light to head to LA — if that's what he wants to do.
That's why Nixon's first good-faith step is an important development. As long as Peacock and Blitz and area leaders are working diligently toward a potential stadium resolution, the league can implement the bylaws to block Kroenke from fleeing.
Should anyone entirely trust the NFL to adhere to its own rules? Of course not. But just apply some common sense here. When is the last time the NFL allowed a team to move from a city that just committed to building a new stadium for the franchise? Answer: it's never happened.
But if the plan doesn't make it off the drawing board, if it's nothing more than a stunt, then the league will see it for what it is: a lot of flash, with no cash. A plan that's DOA. And that's when Kroenke can begin to make an earnest case for moving. For now, however, this action by Nixon slows the game down.
And if Peacock and Blitz can really get things going, they'll keep the NFL informed on their new-stadium progress and the people who run the league will know exactly what's going on here.
In this scenario, Kroenke won't be able to claim that St. Louis is ignoring the issue. He won't be able to sneak his way out of here. Again ... if that's his intention. Who knows what the guy is really thinking?
The initial move made by Nixon was only the first step of many. But it had to be taken. And as long as this wasn't a misdirection play, it was a step in the right direction.
Thanks for reading ...
— Bernie