Rams Owner Stan Kroenke's plan for a new NFL stadium in L.A. "could be a punishing blow to AEG’s grand plan" to build Farmers Field adjacent to Staples Center, maybe even a "knockout punch," according to Vincent Bonsignore of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. The project's demise was "inadvertently triggered" by former AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke, whose "passion for Farmers Field was initially its greatest strength but eventually became part of its downfall." It was Leiweke’s "overly ambitious and public negotiating tactics that turned off the NFL -- which prefers to turn its business dealings on mute -- while also creating some animosity within the offices of AEG." Leiweke "lost his job as a result, and Farmers Field fell off the tracks in the process." It can be "argued the project has never regained its footing since." But while there is a "feeling Kroenke and the Rams will eventually land in Inglewood, AEG is not giving up the fight just yet." There are "reasons to be hopeful, as fading as they might be." One is that Kroenke "went off the ranch on this one, pulled an end around on the NFL and brokered a deal independent of the league’s carefully crafted wishes." But a source said that the NFL "seems very much on board with what Kroenke is doing" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/7).
HOLLYWOOD SPEC HOME: USA TODAY's Brent Schrotenboer notes Kroenke and his partners "plan to build the stadium on spec, banking on securing a team -- or two -- once they start the construction process." But sources said that that strategy "just doesn't add up." One source said that there was "skepticism among NFL owners that Kroenke's plan was truly to build a stadium on spec." Outside experts also were "convinced building such a stadium on spec was far too risky a move for a real-estate billionaire as smart as Kroenke." Inglewood Mayor James Butts Jr. said that Kroenke "never talked to him about which team or teams might move into the stadium once it is completed." Butts: "I'm sure the people who are going to be heavily into this, they probably know more than I do. But I will tell you this: They have never said the Rams are going to come. Never" (USA TODAY, 1/7).
THE ASCENT OF STAN: In St. Louis, Jim Thomas writes in essence, Kroenke is "seen as jumping ahead" of the Raiders and Chargers, who have had "long-standing stadium issues and like the Rams can easily get out of their leases to relocate." Former Raiders Chief Exec Amy Trask said, “Relocation is an arduous process. There are relocation guidelines which have been articulated and set forth by the league" (
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/7). Also in St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz writes Chargers Chair & President
Dean Spanos "has been a good NFL citizen, and he has plenty of support among NFL executives and owners." By "jumping the line to gain an L.A. advantage" over the Chargers and the Raiders, Kroenke will "generate more sympathy for the Chargers' owner." The "aloof Kroenke isn't popular among his fellow NFL owners," and he "already was perceived as an owner that's consumed by his personal interests." By trying to "power his way into L.A., Kroenke risks alienating more owners." Meanwhile, if funding for a new stadium "becomes a reality," St. Louis itself "becomes an appealing destination for a potential franchise relocation" (
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/7). The POST-DISPATCH's Joe Strauss wonders, "How do the Rams draw flies next season when their owner has pre-emptively and somewhat crudely stated his intentions? Even if Kroenke can’t gain support for a move from Commissioner Roger Goodell or the other requisite 23 owners, how does the franchise close this wound? (True, a 12-win season might help)" (
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/7).
BLACK HOLE SON: In San Jose, Mark Purdy writes Raiders Owner Mark Davis "wants others to do most of the heavy lifting" in finding a new home for the team. If Davis wants to get to L.A. "ahead of another team, he's probably already forfeited that chance by not being as proactive with a venue proposal." Purdy: "Maybe he's cool with that. He's certainly giving Oakland every chance to keep the team." In the end, Davis "may regret not driving his own stadium train." But for now, Oakland "should feel fortunate that he isn't" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/7).
