ST. LOUIS — Suddenly, there's a wish list with the
worry. Suddenly, there are bullet points to go along with concern that the Rams
could begin packing after the 2014 season. Suddenly, there are sketches to show
what a revamped Edward Jones Dome could look like to prevent a possible move to
LA.
Now the Rams' vision has a public identity. It's outlined in a thick
counterproposal to the offer from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors
Commission that Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster released Monday to
comply with the state's Sunshine Law.
Civic leaders must ask themselves a critical question: What does being an NFL
city mean to them?
It's important to consider, because the document shows how far apart the two
sides remain in trying to make the Edward Jones Dome a "first-tier" NFL
facility by March 2015.
A June 15 deadline before the issue enters arbitration draws closer by the
hour. A compromise between the parties will require nuance to keep trucks bound
for a possible Los Angeles relocation away from Rams Park.
Consider: The CVC's plan released in February calls for $124 million in
improvements of which the Rams would pay for 52 percent. Meanwhile, the team's
ideal home presented in its plan includes bells and whistles such as a sliding
roof, a restructured east side that would require rerouting part of Broadway
Street and 6,000 additional seats to host a potential Super Bowl.
The price of happiness? Estimated to be more than $700 million.
"The leaders in St. Louis and Missouri need to determine if it's important
to them to have an NFL team in St. Louis, No. 1, and No. 2, what public
resources they're willing to commit to that effort," Marc Ganis,
president of the Chicago-based sports business consulting firm SportsCorp, told
FOXSportsMidwest.com. "This is all (about) balance. It has to be played up
against commitments to other infrastructure, public building projects. ... It's
really a question against other construction in public facilities."
It's also a question of pride and prestige: What, exactly, does it mean to have
an NFL franchise?
The Rams gave St. Louis a national identity with one of the best runs in
franchise history. They were a combined 37-11 in the regular season from 1999
to 2001 after four consecutive losing campaigns following their move from Los Angeles.
The renaissance included one Super Bowl title and two NFC championships. It
made Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt synonymous with
one of the most efficient offenses the league has seen.
But that era has faded, replaced by something far more forgettable. Boos and
sparse crowds were common on home Sundays last season. At times, play on the
field was comical as the Rams eventually missed the playoffs for the seventh
consecutive year.
The 2-14 record last season continued a trend of anemic football that won't be
enshrined anytime soon: Since 2007, the Rams are 15-65 — the worst five-year
stretch in NFL history. St. Louis has produced just one team that has finished
the regular season with a winning record in the last 10 years.
"The RAMS agree with the CVC's statements in the CVC 2012 Plans submitted
February 1, 2012, that the Facilities and the Components presently do not meet
the First Tier standards of the Amended Lease," Kevin Demoff, Rams chief
operating officer, wrote to the CVC. "But, as evidenced by the RAMS'
recent rejection of the CVC 2012 Plans, the RAMS disagree that the
implementation of the CVC 2012 Plans would result in the improvement of the
Facilities and each of the specified Components to First Tier status."
Lost in reaction to the Rams' plan is that negotiations come at a time when
other local professional teams have energized the region. The past year has
included bold breakouts and championship parades under the Gateway Arch, but
the Rams have missed the party.
The Cardinals' 11th World Series title last fall became a symbol of resilience
and hope. World Series MVP David Freese, a St. Louis native, transformed into
an international star. On Monday, they entered play leading the National League
Central and were six games above .500, making the Cards one of baseball's 2012 surprises
under first-year manager Mike Matheny.
Meanwhile, the Blues completed their best season in recent memory earlier this
month. They earned 109 points in the regular season, three short of clinching
their first Presidents’ Trophy since the 1999-2000 campaign. They advanced to
the Western Conference semifinals for the first time since 2002.
Recently, the Blues and Cardinals have given the city reasons to rally.
Meanwhile, the Rams have given it reason to wonder if they'll stick around.
Owner Stan Kroenke has been vague about the team's future if dome renovations
aren't made. This past January, the Rams agreed to play "home" games
in London for the next three seasons.
"Likely, this is going to go to arbitration," Ganis said. "And
then an arbitrator is going to make a decision. Once the arbitrator makes a
decision, it's going to be some dollar amount for St. Louis — whether that's
their number or the cost of the plan the Rams put forward. ... That's where the
city leaders should really have a pretty good idea before they go to
arbitration what number they may be willing to accept and what the sources (of
funding) will be."
Yes, there's still time to keep the Rams in St. Louis. But on Monday, the
public learned what it could take to make it happen.
