NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the NFL is not looking
at legal action keep the Rams in the L.A. area. Tagliabue:
"We're not angling for litigation, we're not trying to stoke any
litigation." These comments come in response to Rams President
John Shaw's comments that the Rams might sign a short-term lease
in Anaheim "if the league tries to block a move to St. Louis."
If a franchise moves, Tagliabue said he would "make an in-depth
review, make a report to the ownership, and then see what their
opinions are based upon whatever report I make." If the Rams
make a request to move, Tagliabue said, "We will be looking very
carefully at the fan support, the booster support, and all
aspects of that as we approach any application the Rams make. If
they make one." He did say that recent legal decisions on
franchise relocation "clarified the approach the league could
take on such matters" (Jim Thomas, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH,
12/16). Tagliabue was asked about an NFL-backed, football-only
stadium in L.A. and why the league wouldn't help other teams such
as the Bucs: "The conditions in Los Angeles are unique and those
are the conditions that led us to set forth the concept for
league involvement of a Super Bowl-related stadium in L.A. At
this juncture, I don't think those conditions exist in any other
coummunity" (Vito Stellino, Baltimore SUN, 12/16).
