[Elvis]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/10/nfl- ... raft-picks

Next Stop: Los Angeles

Andrew Brandt

The league is nearing a vote to decide which one (or two) teams will get to call L.A. home. Plus, the ‘coaches v. quants’ conflict, and the elimination of a nonsensical rule regarding draft picks

The NFL’s 20-year endeavor to return a team—or teams—to Los Angeles is approaching a couple of inflection points. Let’s examine.

Last week I attended the third NFL owners meeting in six months devoted almost exclusively to relocation to Los Angeles (L.A.). There is a certain nostalgia here for me, as the first owners meeting I attended, in 1999, also featured L.A. as an agenda item. Although there were no votes taken last week in Dallas, the clear feeling is that we are fast approaching, as one owner told me, “nut-cutting time” to get resolution by early 2016.

As my saying goes, “deadlines spur action,” and there are now two deadlines ahead. The first, December 30, is the date by which the NFL must receive firm proposals on stadium financing from city leaders from St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland (although Oakland admittedly has no plan). Both Commissioner Goodell and owners on the L.A. committee—Robert Kraft, Robert McNair, Jerry Richardson, Art Rooney, John Mara and Clark Hunt—were adamant that these proposals should not have any contingencies or loose ends which is, of course, impossible for a proposal such as that of San Diego, where a referendum vote is scheduled for June. Indeed, at this time none of the three markets have the type of airtight financing plans the NFL is seeking. Again though, deadlines spur action.

Once these plans are parsed, I would expect they will provide cover for all three owners—Stan Kroenke in St. Louis, Dean Spanos in San Diego and Mark Davis in Oakland—to apply for relocation when that window opens on January 4th. At that point the politicking (already in process for months, if not years) will intensify toward the second deadline of January 12-13, the meeting in Houston.

I would expect the first day in Houston will apprise the full ownership on the continued problems of three home-team markets, followed by candid conversation about the L.A. projects, as happened in Dallas, with each team sharing its thoughts. Then, after final campaigning on the 12th and the morning of the 13th, there could well be a relocation vote. An owner seeking relocation must secure votes of 24 of the 32 owners, with a to-be-determined relocation fee as part of it (reports have indicated the amount could be $500 million or above).

As of this writing Kroenke is alone on the $2 billion Inglewood project, with Spanos and Davis partnering on the $1.8 billion Carson project. Things, however, are fluid. Kroenke has proposed taking on an equity partner, although one with neither design input nor a share of other revenues. Kroenke’s offer may be a sign of a recognition that he needed to adjust, or simply another chip to play in what are certainly going to be negotiations to massage this outcome.

Also as of this writing, the feeling is that Kroenke may not have 24 votes to move but does have nine votes to block Spanos. Similarly, Spanos may not have 24 votes to move but does have nine to block Kroenke. As for Davis, although he is now aligned with Spanos, Oakland, as mentioned, has no stadium plan. However, owners were quite impressed with Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf when they met in November and believe in her ability to get something done in the future. In other words, there could be an alternative short-term plan for the Raiders.

The scene last week in Dallas was surreal. At one point Kroenke, Spanos and Davis were excused from the meeting and took up residence in different parts of the hallway outside the meeting room as the rest of the owners, well, talked about them. I watched with great amusement as they all tried to engage whichever owner came out to go to the bathroom. It was like a high school popularity contest.

The politicking now continues towards a January 13 crescendo. It is hard to handicap, as Spanos has the most sentiment but Kroenke has the most money. Spanos has the support of many on the L.A. Committee, including the highly respected Jerry Richardson, and Carmen Policy and Bob Iger add gravitas to their position. Having said that, several influential “new guard” owners are lining up behind Kroenke, such as Jerry Jones, Dan Snyder, Stephen Ross, Woody Johnson and Jeffrey Lurie.

The NFL is about relationships, politics and back scratching for moments like this. Stay tuned.

[bluecoconuts]

Woody Johnson, is that someone who we've heard as backing Kroenke before?

[Elvis]

There was this about a month ago:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... en-owners/

With L.A. decision looming, lines are being drawn between owners

Posted by Darin Gantt on November 15, 2015, 9:28 AM EST

It has become reasonably clear in the last few weeks that a strong group of some of the league’s more influential owners plan to throw their Los Angeles backing toward the Carson project, which would be for the Chargers and/or Raiders.

But Rams owner Stan Kroenke is not without his backing either, and may have the nine votes or non-votes which could block approval of the competing project.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Kroenke’s supporters include Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft of the Patriots, along with Washington’s Dan Snyder, Jeffrey Lurie (Eagles), Woody Johnson (Jets), Ziggy Wilf (Vikings) and Steve Biscotti (Ravens). With Bengals owner Mike Brown a frequent abstainer, that puts them on the magic number of nine with Kroenke’s vote factored in — if all those owners stay lined up with Kroenke’s attempt to take his team to Inglewood.

The Bills, Falcons and 49ers are among franchises identified as being swing votes, creating sufficient uncertainty.

On the other side, you have Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, Steelers owner Dan Rooney and Giants owner John Mara, who were thrilled with last week’s addition of Disney CEO Bob Iger to the Carson project, a move which many feel gave it the legitimacy it may have lacked.

Whether it’s enough to change some of the support Kroneke has remains to be seen.

[Hacksaw]

"The NFL is about relationships, politics and back scratching for moments like this. Stay tuned".

"At that point the politicking (already in process for months, if not years) will intensify toward the second deadline of January 12-13, the meeting in Houston".

"I watched with great amusement as they all tried to engage whichever owner came out to go to the bathroom. It was like a high school popularity contest".

I hope the last comment isn't about Kroenke.
Politicking for years?
Is this where the "owners like Spanos better" stuff came from? Surprised in a way that that is how they roll.

[max]

Crazy to think that after 3 days from now, the Rams are done with STL.

[The Ripper]

Woody Johnson, is that someone who we've heard as backing Kroenke before?

Yes, Woody Johnson has been named as a supporter for awhile. Ross has also be named but a few reporters still say he's undecided.

[Hacksaw]

Crazy to think that after 3 days from now, the Rams are done with STL.

After decades, this comment could be true. Almost hard to wrap my head around. I never thought it would happen but always had a feeling it might. Funny, even 3 days before what might be their last game, I still do.

[BuiltRamTough]

Crazy to think that after 3 days from now, the Rams are done with STL.

After decades, this comment could be true. Almost hard to wrap my head around. I never thought it would happen but always had a feeling it might. Funny, even 3 days before what might be their last game, I still do.

It's must see TV. Jim and Simms, prime time, 20k in the stands, color Rush anddd set your DVR on record, buy your DVR from your cable company and keep your DVR so you can re watch this game 20 years from now and chuckle.

[den-the-coach]

Crazy to think that after 3 days from now, the Rams are done with STL.

They need to be for this franchise to move forward in every way the Inglewood project must come to fruition. If the Rams stay in St. Louis they will be "Dead Team Walking." I'm trying to just relax and wait, but I'm becoming so over anxious...Max we need to be the Los Angles Rams, it just sounds so right.

[max]

Crazy to think that after 3 days from now, the Rams are done with STL.

They need to be for this franchise to move forward in every way the Inglewood project must come to fruition. If the Rams stay in St. Louis they will be "Dead Team Walking." I'm trying to just relax and wait, but I'm becoming so over anxious...Max we need to be the Los Angles Rams, it just sounds so right.

It sounds so right to us, for sure.

But many things now that sound so right to me, don't mean much to the younger guys.

Heck, you'd think Los Angeles Rams would sound so right to these owners, like Rooney and Mara, who should have great memories of playing them.