Rams President John Shaw denied a report that a deal has
been made to sell 40% of the Rams to MO businessman Stan Kroenke
and to move the team to St. Louis. Shaw: "No deal has been
reached, nothing is imminent, we continue to negotiate" (Jon
Morgan, Baltimore SUN, 11/25). Kroenke's lawyer, Alan Bornstein,
reiterated Shaw's comments, adding the report was "premature."
Bornstein: "We are not at the point where it can be said that an
agreement has been reached." The deal reportedly would give
Kroenke 40% of the team for $60M, with the first right to buy the
team if Rams Owner Georgia Frontiere decides to sell. Bornstein
said an announcement on the team could come in "days, weeks, or
perhaps never, depending on how several matters unfold" (Mike
Reilly, L.A. TIMES, 1/24). Will McDonough reports an
announcement to move to St. Louis "will be made within the next
two weeks, and when the Rams do make the announcement they will
go to the NFL and ask for a vote of approval" ("NFL Live," NBC,
11/24). In Baltimore, Vito Stellino writes the Rams may wait
until after the season, as Shaw has a "reputation for dragging
things out as he takes care of the financial details" (Baltimore
SUN, 11/27).
ONE LAST CHANCE: Save the Rams, the civic group trying to
keep the team in Anaheim, will meet with Shaw on Tuesday to
review the group's latest offer. Save the Rams spokesperson
Leigh Steinberg said the group is "seriously pursuing private
funding for a new football-only stadium" if the Rams will commit
to stay in the Orange County area. Shaw said the team "would
consider a short term lease" at their current home in Anaheim if
"it included the promise of a new stadium and other
considerations" (Himmelberg & Mouchard, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER,
11/26).
MUHLEMAN PROFILED: Seat-licensing guru Max Muhleman is
profiled in Saturday's ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Muhleman talks
of selling the idea to the Hornets, Panthers, and now to FANS,
Inc. in St. Louis. One NFL observer said Muhleman "could sell
Sand in the Sahara" (Jim Thomas, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 11/26).
