The Rams plan to play a home game in each of the next three seasons in London. The powers-that-be in St. Louis apparently plan to prevent that.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission believes that the team’s lease at the Edward Jones Dome requires all home games to be played there. The CVC manages the stadium.
“We immediately brought this to the Rams’ attention and are awaiting their response,” the CVC said in a statement. “Our lease with the Rams requires that the Rams play all their home games in the Edward Jones Dome.”
Per the Post-Dispatch, the Rams’ lease requires the team “to play all its home NFL Games (other than pre-season NFL Games) at the Facilities.” The Rams can avoid that obligation if, per the Post-Dispatch, the stadium “is not in useable condition or if the lease is terminated.”
The Rams have not yet stated their position on this issue. If it lands in litigation in a Missouri state court, look for the court system to lean toward the CVC’s interests. Elected judges tend to keep an eye on the electorate, and the local electorate will be ecstatic if the Rams can’t take the upcoming game against the Patriots to London.