In a move that could be coming way too late, could end up being way too little, but ultimately could be just enough to create the impression that an effort was made, the powers-that-be in St. Louis soon will try to figure out how to persuade the Rams from exercising their contractual right to put Missouri in the rear-view mirror.
According to Ken Belson of the New York Times, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is expected to appoint a task force this week that will be directed to work with the Rams, politicians, and business leaders to conjure a plan for keeping the Rams in town.
Public funding will be the main issue, as it always seems to be. As Belson points out, Missouri law currently requires a public referendum before any taxpayer money is devoted to a sports stadium. Given the current national climate on that topic, any private money devoted to the effort to persuade voters to approve the use of public money ultimately would be better devoted to the budget for building the new facility.
Complicating matters, as Belson points out, is the notoriously stubborn refusal of owner Stan Kroenke to say anything. The man who owns four major sports franchises (the Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalance, and Arsenal of the Premier League) not only avoids the spotlight but abhors it. Thus, while Kroenke is a Missouri native who likely would be disowned if he moves the Rams to L.A., his silence has created plenty of consternation about his intentions.
Further complicating matters is the fact that team COO Kevin Demoff has left the door wide open for a relocation. Per Belson, Demoff said in a recent radio interview that no decision has been made on whether the team will move. But Demoff explained that a “global solution” on the team’s stadium will be needed to keep the team in Missouri.
“I think our focus is on, you know, playing through the rest of the lease and seeing how things play out,” Demoff said. With a lease that now expires after each and every NFL season, things will be playing out, quickly.
Indeed, the window for annual relocation efforts opens not long after the regular season ends. If the Rams are going to try to go to Los Angeles in 2015, the clock is ticking as to the team’s effort to line up enough votes and secure a temporary home. Which means that the clock is also ticking on St. Louis to find a new permanent home for the team.
Which means that any efforts starting now to keep the Rams in town will be aimed at ensuring that the blame is directed to Kroenke for leaving and not to the folks who hold elected office for failing to do enough to keep the team. With a public vote required before any public money could be used to build a new stadium, it’s safe to say that the Rams will soon be crossing the Rubicon -- if they haven’t already done so privately.
