By Jeff Gordon
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
Tuesday, May. 20 2008
The death of Rams owner Georgia Frontiere after her long illness left fans here
anxious.
The team’s new managing partner, Chip Rosenbloom, is an LA guy through and
through. He is building a successful career in the movie business.
St. Louis-area fans fretted about the Rams possibly returning to the West
Coast. Los Angeles-area fans reveled in the same possibility. Your
cyber-correspondent received many e-mails from Californians crowing about this
likelihood.
For his part, Rosenbloom earnestly tried to put St. Louisans at ease. He and
his sister (and new co-majority owner) Lucia Rodriguez, came to town for a
meet-and-greet with media members and corporate types.
Over and over, Chip reminded us that Georgia wanted the team to remain in her
hometown of St. Louis -– just as Georgia wanted Scott Linehan to remain as head
coach. Chip made his case clearly and passionately.
(He also stunned observers with his eerie optimism, insisting that the 3-13
Rams could become a playoff team this season. We all shrugged and assumed he
hadn’t had time to review much game tape. The poor man had a lot on his plate.)
Chip made a favorable and reassuring impression on everybody he met during that
foray to the Midwest. He couldn’t have been more sincere or convincing.
He reminded us that Southern California did not treat his mother kindly during
the team’s final days there. He reminded us that St. Louis treated Georgia very
well, personally and professionally.
Ah, but nothing lasts forever in life. Romance wanes. Marriages routinely end
in divorce.
Rams fans must be aware of, and wary of, the Yahoo! Sports report that this
team is for sale.
Fans in this region should be concerned that former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo
openly discussed the potential sale and return to SoCal.
DeBartolo had this to say to the author of the Yahoo! report, Michael Silver:
“I know that they are definitely in play. Georgia's kids have decided to sell
the team. I've talked to some people who are brokering things, and they've told
me about the price and what the deal might entail.
“Their lease is up in (2015, not 2012 as reported by Silver), and they would be
a natural for that to happen. It would be something to look at, and it's
interesting to see the numbers and everything. But it wouldn't be my first
choice of a franchise if I chose to get back in.”
Silver cited other unnamed sources claiming that the Rams are, in fact, for
sale. Silver also noted that minority owner Stan Kroenke was unlikely to
exercise his option to buy the team, due to the NFL’s rules against franchise
cross-ownership.
This report triggered an official response from Rosenbloom, which read:
“It has only been four months since my mom passed away. Her passing
immediately caused speculation that we were selling the team. When a team is
passed from one generation to another it becomes to some a calling card that
the team must be for sale. So to reply to this article: Nothing has changed
since my mom’s passing. We’ve been approached by several people. We plan on
using the season to show that the performance on the field will be exciting and
to honor my mom. And while we deal with her estate, I can assure you we have
every intention of keeping the Rams in St. Louis and will have no further
comment on this article.”
Speculation will dog Rosenbloom constantly, since he isn’t a football guy at
heart and he has no real allegiance to St. Louis.
We've discussed the not-so-sweet Dome situation in this corner of cyberspace,
noting that such facilities become obsolete more quickly than you can imagine.
John Shaw, the trusted advisor to Georgia and her children, could step back
from his current role in the not-so-distant future. And like Chip, he is an LA
guy.
On the other hand, we have no real reason to doubt Rosenbloom. Nothing in his
background suggests he would mislead St. Louisans, even for business purposes.
We can only judge him by his actions, which so far have been positive.
But business is what it is. Potential company sales are often denied,
categorically, right up to the moment they occur.
Rams fans should be aware, and wary.
At the very least, this report reminds us that sharks are circling the waters.
Would-be owners are ready to pounce should Rosenbloom and Rodriguez have a
change of heart.
And Los Angeles will keep beckoning this team home as long as no other
franchise has taken its place. If you are a Rams fan, feel free to pull for the
Jacksonville Jaguars to move westward.
STLTODAY.COM SPORTS COLUMNIST
Tuesday, May. 20 2008
The death of Rams owner Georgia Frontiere after her long illness left fans here
anxious.
The team’s new managing partner, Chip Rosenbloom, is an LA guy through and
through. He is building a successful career in the movie business.
St. Louis-area fans fretted about the Rams possibly returning to the West
Coast. Los Angeles-area fans reveled in the same possibility. Your
cyber-correspondent received many e-mails from Californians crowing about this
likelihood.
For his part, Rosenbloom earnestly tried to put St. Louisans at ease. He and
his sister (and new co-majority owner) Lucia Rodriguez, came to town for a
meet-and-greet with media members and corporate types.
Over and over, Chip reminded us that Georgia wanted the team to remain in her
hometown of St. Louis -– just as Georgia wanted Scott Linehan to remain as head
coach. Chip made his case clearly and passionately.
(He also stunned observers with his eerie optimism, insisting that the 3-13
Rams could become a playoff team this season. We all shrugged and assumed he
hadn’t had time to review much game tape. The poor man had a lot on his plate.)
Chip made a favorable and reassuring impression on everybody he met during that
foray to the Midwest. He couldn’t have been more sincere or convincing.
He reminded us that Southern California did not treat his mother kindly during
the team’s final days there. He reminded us that St. Louis treated Georgia very
well, personally and professionally.
Ah, but nothing lasts forever in life. Romance wanes. Marriages routinely end
in divorce.
Rams fans must be aware of, and wary of, the Yahoo! Sports report that this
team is for sale.
Fans in this region should be concerned that former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo
openly discussed the potential sale and return to SoCal.
DeBartolo had this to say to the author of the Yahoo! report, Michael Silver:
“I know that they are definitely in play. Georgia's kids have decided to sell
the team. I've talked to some people who are brokering things, and they've told
me about the price and what the deal might entail.
“Their lease is up in (2015, not 2012 as reported by Silver), and they would be
a natural for that to happen. It would be something to look at, and it's
interesting to see the numbers and everything. But it wouldn't be my first
choice of a franchise if I chose to get back in.”
Silver cited other unnamed sources claiming that the Rams are, in fact, for
sale. Silver also noted that minority owner Stan Kroenke was unlikely to
exercise his option to buy the team, due to the NFL’s rules against franchise
cross-ownership.
This report triggered an official response from Rosenbloom, which read:
“It has only been four months since my mom passed away. Her passing
immediately caused speculation that we were selling the team. When a team is
passed from one generation to another it becomes to some a calling card that
the team must be for sale. So to reply to this article: Nothing has changed
since my mom’s passing. We’ve been approached by several people. We plan on
using the season to show that the performance on the field will be exciting and
to honor my mom. And while we deal with her estate, I can assure you we have
every intention of keeping the Rams in St. Louis and will have no further
comment on this article.”
Speculation will dog Rosenbloom constantly, since he isn’t a football guy at
heart and he has no real allegiance to St. Louis.
We've discussed the not-so-sweet Dome situation in this corner of cyberspace,
noting that such facilities become obsolete more quickly than you can imagine.
John Shaw, the trusted advisor to Georgia and her children, could step back
from his current role in the not-so-distant future. And like Chip, he is an LA
guy.
On the other hand, we have no real reason to doubt Rosenbloom. Nothing in his
background suggests he would mislead St. Louisans, even for business purposes.
We can only judge him by his actions, which so far have been positive.
But business is what it is. Potential company sales are often denied,
categorically, right up to the moment they occur.
Rams fans should be aware, and wary.
At the very least, this report reminds us that sharks are circling the waters.
Would-be owners are ready to pounce should Rosenbloom and Rodriguez have a
change of heart.
And Los Angeles will keep beckoning this team home as long as no other
franchise has taken its place. If you are a Rams fan, feel free to pull for the
Jacksonville Jaguars to move westward.
