By Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/22/2008
If the Rams and the NFL were pieces of a movie plot, Chip Rosenbloom would utilize his talents as a screenwriter, producer and director and script a happy ending. And as the credits roll, the St. Louis audience would stand in applause.
But this isn't a movie.
This is reality.
There are no heroes or villains, either. Just two sincere people — Chip and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez — who are struggling to do the right thing for everybody, including the fans of St. Louis.
I had the chance to speak with Rosenbloom about the brush fire of rumors of a possible Rams sale. He was trying to make it to his young daughter's soccer party but had to experience another lesson on what it's like to be an NFL owner.
Privacy and family time are compromised, and it's the price he'll have to pay for being the Rams' managing partner. Does he need it? Does he really want it? Rosenbloom has a fulfilling life in Los Angeles, with his wife and two children and a burgeoning film career. There will be many more Rams-sale rumors to deal with, and a bunch of other headaches. And Rosenbloom must determine if it's all worth it.
Rosenbloom didn't want to be quoted, but after our conversation, the situation seems clearer to me. So I'll share what I think I know based on our discussion:
— Are the Rams for sale? Answer: no — and yes.
Chip and Lucia aren't seeking a buyer. Rosenbloom stressed that repeatedly. Nothing has changed, he insisted. Ideally, they'd like to hang on to the Rams for a long time, in part to honor their late mother, Georgia Frontiere. Chip isn't in any hurry to sell, but tax-related issues related to their mother's estate are complicated, and selling the Rams may be the one sure way of settling everything.
If a credible figure expresses interest in buying this team, Frontiere's children will listen. And if that potential buyer is an excellent fit, they'll be inclined to sell. But Rosenbloom and Rodriguez want to be careful. If they sell, they want to place the Rams in good hands. There is no timetable, but this franchise will eventually be sold. I have said that all along; I just think it will occur further on down the road.
— But what about Rosenbloom's pledge of allegiance to St. Louis? Was that a flagrant example of a phony sports owner telling the locals what they wanted to hear? Answer: no.
Rosenbloom has never said he wouldn't sell. He feels a strong connection with St. Louis, because of the support given to his mother, and because of the family's NFL history. But again, it isn't that simple, because of the taxes owed. And as Rosenbloom indicated: Suppose an impressive buyer surfaces? Other than shooting down speculation that he'd move the team to LA one day, Rosenbloom won't make promises. He'd be foolish to box himself in. Why make a guarantee that he can't keep?
— OK, so what are Chip and Lucia looking for in a potential owner? Answer: They would like a St. Louis-based buyer to emerge. They want someone who cares deeply about this community, someone who can network the politicians and the corporate bosses, navigate through stadium issues and keep the franchise in St. Louis.
— So who is the perfect St. Louis owner? Answer: nowhere to be found, at least up to now. Take a look around; it's pathetic. The Blues are operated by Dave Checketts (based in New York and Utah). The Cardinals are owned by Bill DeWitt (primarily based in Cincinnati). The Rams are owned by LA residents. This may be a passionate sports town at the fans' level, but at the ownership level, this town is woefully lacking in commitment. Where is the leadership? Will anyone step up?
— What about Stan Kroenke? Answer: Kroenke, who has 40 percent of the Rams, has built a sports empire in Denver, and his friends say he's reluctant to sell those Denver teams to satisfy NFL rules prohibiting cross ownership. And nothing suggests the rule will be waived to accommodate Kroenke.
— Is there a larger issue in play? Answer: yes. It doesn't matter who owns the Rams; an impasse over the condition of the Edward Jones Dome could jeopardize the franchise's long-term future in St. Louis. According to the Rams' most recent agreement with the CVC, the dome must rank among the top eight stadiums in the NFL by 2015. To put it mildly, that's a real long shot given the 20 new stadiums (by 2010) built in the NFL since the Dome opened in 1995. If the Edward Jones Dome doesn't meet the top 25 percent standard, the Rams have the right to leave after the 2014 season.
Options, however, appear to be limited. The NFL controls the LA market. And will the NFL really allow a team to set up shop in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas? So where are the available football markets?
That aside, there's a potential mess here.
Chip Rosenbloom will try his best to find that happy ending. He'll try to do it to honor the memory of his mother and father, and he'll try to do it for the St. Louis fans. But sooner or later, Chip and Lucia will also have to take care of their own interests.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/22/2008
If the Rams and the NFL were pieces of a movie plot, Chip Rosenbloom would utilize his talents as a screenwriter, producer and director and script a happy ending. And as the credits roll, the St. Louis audience would stand in applause.
But this isn't a movie.
This is reality.
There are no heroes or villains, either. Just two sincere people — Chip and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez — who are struggling to do the right thing for everybody, including the fans of St. Louis.
I had the chance to speak with Rosenbloom about the brush fire of rumors of a possible Rams sale. He was trying to make it to his young daughter's soccer party but had to experience another lesson on what it's like to be an NFL owner.
Privacy and family time are compromised, and it's the price he'll have to pay for being the Rams' managing partner. Does he need it? Does he really want it? Rosenbloom has a fulfilling life in Los Angeles, with his wife and two children and a burgeoning film career. There will be many more Rams-sale rumors to deal with, and a bunch of other headaches. And Rosenbloom must determine if it's all worth it.
Rosenbloom didn't want to be quoted, but after our conversation, the situation seems clearer to me. So I'll share what I think I know based on our discussion:
— Are the Rams for sale? Answer: no — and yes.
Chip and Lucia aren't seeking a buyer. Rosenbloom stressed that repeatedly. Nothing has changed, he insisted. Ideally, they'd like to hang on to the Rams for a long time, in part to honor their late mother, Georgia Frontiere. Chip isn't in any hurry to sell, but tax-related issues related to their mother's estate are complicated, and selling the Rams may be the one sure way of settling everything.
If a credible figure expresses interest in buying this team, Frontiere's children will listen. And if that potential buyer is an excellent fit, they'll be inclined to sell. But Rosenbloom and Rodriguez want to be careful. If they sell, they want to place the Rams in good hands. There is no timetable, but this franchise will eventually be sold. I have said that all along; I just think it will occur further on down the road.
— But what about Rosenbloom's pledge of allegiance to St. Louis? Was that a flagrant example of a phony sports owner telling the locals what they wanted to hear? Answer: no.
Rosenbloom has never said he wouldn't sell. He feels a strong connection with St. Louis, because of the support given to his mother, and because of the family's NFL history. But again, it isn't that simple, because of the taxes owed. And as Rosenbloom indicated: Suppose an impressive buyer surfaces? Other than shooting down speculation that he'd move the team to LA one day, Rosenbloom won't make promises. He'd be foolish to box himself in. Why make a guarantee that he can't keep?
— OK, so what are Chip and Lucia looking for in a potential owner? Answer: They would like a St. Louis-based buyer to emerge. They want someone who cares deeply about this community, someone who can network the politicians and the corporate bosses, navigate through stadium issues and keep the franchise in St. Louis.
— So who is the perfect St. Louis owner? Answer: nowhere to be found, at least up to now. Take a look around; it's pathetic. The Blues are operated by Dave Checketts (based in New York and Utah). The Cardinals are owned by Bill DeWitt (primarily based in Cincinnati). The Rams are owned by LA residents. This may be a passionate sports town at the fans' level, but at the ownership level, this town is woefully lacking in commitment. Where is the leadership? Will anyone step up?
— What about Stan Kroenke? Answer: Kroenke, who has 40 percent of the Rams, has built a sports empire in Denver, and his friends say he's reluctant to sell those Denver teams to satisfy NFL rules prohibiting cross ownership. And nothing suggests the rule will be waived to accommodate Kroenke.
— Is there a larger issue in play? Answer: yes. It doesn't matter who owns the Rams; an impasse over the condition of the Edward Jones Dome could jeopardize the franchise's long-term future in St. Louis. According to the Rams' most recent agreement with the CVC, the dome must rank among the top eight stadiums in the NFL by 2015. To put it mildly, that's a real long shot given the 20 new stadiums (by 2010) built in the NFL since the Dome opened in 1995. If the Edward Jones Dome doesn't meet the top 25 percent standard, the Rams have the right to leave after the 2014 season.
Options, however, appear to be limited. The NFL controls the LA market. And will the NFL really allow a team to set up shop in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas? So where are the available football markets?
That aside, there's a potential mess here.
Chip Rosenbloom will try his best to find that happy ending. He'll try to do it to honor the memory of his mother and father, and he'll try to do it for the St. Louis fans. But sooner or later, Chip and Lucia will also have to take care of their own interests.