The Rams "announced that 51,792 tickets were distributed" for yesterday's 34-31 overtime victory against the Seahawks, but even with the "larger-than-expected turnout, it was still the smallest crowd for a home opener since the Rams moved to St. Louis" in '95, according to Jim Thomas of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The announced number "does not represent the number of fans in the stands, which probably numbered around 45,000 in the 66,000-seat Edward Jones Dome." Although smaller in numbers, those who came Sunday "made their presence felt." Rams Owner Stan Kroenke's plan to move the team to L.A. "has depressed the market to the point where only the hardcore fans are expected to show up this season." The fact that the Rams have not had a winning season since '03 and went winless this preseason "doesn’t help, either" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/14). In St. Louis, Jacob Kirn noted at kickoff and beyond, the Edward Jones Dome’s upper deck "was perhaps half full." But fans "stood, screamed and waved towels, staking claim to their team" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/13). Also in St. Louis, Jeff Gordon notes those Rams fans who did attend "roared in approval, drowning out the Seahawk loyalists who gobbled up many of the tickets" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/14). The POST-DISPATCH's Benjamin Hochman notes there is "a sentiment out there that it’s important to show up to games if only to show the NFL that St. Louis cares about football" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/14).
LIGHTNING STORM: In San Diego, Chris Jenkins notes the uncertainty over the Chargers' future and possibility of San Diego being abandoned by the home team for L.A. "did not have a negative effect on the size of the crowd, announced at 66,093." To the contrary, it "may have contributed to it." The Chargers "have sold more season tickets" (56,112) since '08 -- the year after they made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game -- an "increase of 6,000 over last year." It has been suggested that ticket sales "were driven up not just by nostalgia -- fans wanting to get perhaps their last in-person look at the Chargers -- but also fans' desire to make a strong show of loyalty to the team." They "were cheering, but also imploring, some of them lining up in the front row with 'Save Our Bolts' painted onto the fronts of their white t-shirts" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/14). Meanwhile, in San Diego, Lori Weisberg noted as expected, the deadline for putting a Chargers stadium plan to a vote in January "came and went on Friday, following months of stalled negotiations between the team and San Diego." While Mayor Kevin Faulconer "has not given up on the possibility of an election later next year, the city's focus has now turned to the NFL owners, who will ultimately decide whether the Chargers remain in San Diego or will be allowed to pursue a joint stadium project in Carson" with the Raiders (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/12).
SILVER LINING: In S.F., Scott Ostler writes, "One big question raised by the Raiders’ performance (or non-performance) is: Why would Los Angeles, given its options, welcome the Raiders?" The league "won't be eager to send a turkey to whatever stadium is built in SoCal, and the Raiders on Sunday looked like the same team and organization that has floundered and bungled for more than a decade" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/14). In Oakland, Marcus Thompson II writes, "No way the NFL wants a team this bad to play in Los Angeles. Another season of the same ol' Raiders might kill their relocation bid" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 9/14).
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: CBSSPORTS.com’s Jason La Canfora noted Kroenke has “one outgoing, powerful benefactor” supporting the team's relocation to L.A. -- Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, who “continues to champion Kroenke's project both publically and privately.” While Jones “is not a member of the L.A.-committee” that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell put together, he “does hold considerable sway and he tends to follow the bottom line when choosing allegiances.” It is “widely known in league circles that Jones is championing the Inglewood project.” It should also be noted that, “though it has received little fanfare or acknowledgement, the men are also partners in a land development project in Texas.” While several team sources contacted “did not believe their business interests were at the heart of Jones's support of Inglewood,” it is “at least worth noting” (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/13). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Ken Belson writes despite the optimism of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to get a stadium deal done with the Rams, he is "uncertain whether his drive" to keep the Rams will work. Nixon said that he "had not spoken" to Kroenke, although Rams COO Kevin Demoff "has been briefed by the governor’s task force." Nixon and task force co-head Dave Peacock "instead of appealing" to Kroenke, have "taken their case to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to show that St. Louis deserves to remain on the NFL’s map." They "presented their plans to league officials and met" with Goodell in N.Y. before Labor Day (N.Y. TIMES, 9/14).
