ST. LOUIS (AP) — One of the new owners of the St. Louis Rams on Tuesday denied speculation the team will be sold and moved back to southern California.

Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the Rams are on the market and being shopped for up to $900 million, with a sale raising the possibility of a return to Los Angeles. The story quoted former 49ers owner Eddie Bartolo and cited other unnamed sources.

Georgia Frontiere moved the Rams from Anaheim, Calif., to her hometown of St. Louis in 1995. Frontiere died in January of breast cancer. The team is now owned by her children, Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez.

In a written statement, Rosenbloom stopped short of saying definitively that the team would not be sold but reiterated that there are no plans to relocate.

"When a team is passed from one generation to another it becomes to some a calling card that the team must be for sale," Rosenbloom said. "So to reply to this (Yahoo) article: Nothing has changed since my mom's passing."

Rosenbloom said the owners have been approached "by several people," but did not elaborate.

He said that while he and his sister deal with their mother's 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."

Calls to a Rams spokesman were unanswered.

It wouldn't appear likely the Rams could be moved anytime soon, even if they were sold. The lease agreement with the Edward Jones Dome requires that the team remain in St. Louis at least through the 2015 season, assuming upgrades of the dome have been met, said Brian McMurtry, executive director of the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority.

McMurtry said $30 million is currently being spent on improvements expected to be completed by July 2009, including a new scoreboard.

Starting in 2012, the operators of the dome and the Rams can begin negotiations on what needs to be done at the dome to keep the team there after 2015. If no agreement is reached, the Rams' future here becomes "year to year" until a new agreement is reached, McMurtry said.

The Rams' poor on-field performance in recent years has led to eroding attendance. After selling out every home game from their arrival in St. Louis until late in the 2006 season, empty seats became commonplace in 2007, when the Rams finished 3-13, their worst record since relocating.

Rosenbloom and Rodriguez both live in Los Angeles but have repeatedly said the team will not move.

"We don't have any interest in moving to Los Angeles, is that clear enough?" Rosenbloom said at an introductory news conference in April.

Rosenbloom, the controlling managing partner, and Rodriguez own 60% of the franchise, with Stan Kroenke owning the other 40%.

Frontiere took over the franchise in 1979 following the drowning death of her husband, Carroll Rosenbloom.

The Yahoo story quoted DeBartolo as having "slight" interest in purchasing the Rams.

Of a return to Los Angeles, DeBartolo told Yahoo, "It would be something to look at ... But it wouldn't be my first choice of a franchise if I chose to get back in."

A working phone number for DeBartolo was not available.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

I never thought I would ever say this BUT if Eddie Debartolo was ever to become the owner of the Rams, I would no longer be a fan. That scum sucking son of a bitch should never be allowed to be involved with any NFL team ever again......especially the Rams. I would not put up with that!

I think Rosenbloom so far is showing he's going to be a fine owner. Let's hope he doesn't sell out any time soon.

I agree, I don't think I would be too happy with DeBartolo either. I read another article that went so far as to say that NFL team owners would probably not object to him becoming an owner again.

I wonder if DeBartolo did become an owner and try to move the team back to LA if that would hurt ticket sales there..?

DeBartolo also said the Rams would probably not be his first choice if he decides to get back into the NFL.
Remember, Georgia passed just a few months ago(God rest her soul).
Give Chip & Lucia a little time to get used to being owners of the Rams.
It's all speculation right now, anyways.
Rams just need to focus on being the Rams, and putting a good product on the field.
Can't wait until August.
Go Rams!!!!

Definately something the Rams shouldn't be concerning themselves about. Just think football and forget about the business end of it, that's for sure!

i thought i read something were as long as they are the owners (the son and daughter) that would nwould never move the team back to LA because of the way Georgia was treated while there.........but if they sell .......then anything is possible.....i will say one thing ...St.Louis is a baseball town ( i myself live in southern illinois) .. and us fans are used to winning.....or at least have a shot at it...and i think the majority of folks here dont believe this head coach gives us that chance....hence empty seats.....but i will bet if the team starts off good this season the place will be full again......if not then who knows.......but then the coach will be gone (or at least should be).....and just that might be enough....

I was beginning to get a little suspicious until the Rams hired Saunders. I think at least it shows that the Rams are trying to make a positive effort.

I was in Los Angeles when I saw a local report about a sports stadium that could be built if the City could get a team. This was found on http://www.stadiumsofnfl.com/future/LAStadium.htm. So I guess it will be interesting to see if construction for the new stadium begins and no announcement is made.

But I believe that Anheuser is right, the Rams need to win and win now if the Rams are to stay in St. Louis. Realistically speaking, I don't know that the current staff is the right staff to do this. I hope that I am wrong, the next couple of seasons could be extremely pivotal for the franchise.