Hartmann: 'Very Unlikely' St. Louis an NFL City in 2016
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Hartmann: 'Very Unlikely' St. Louis an NFL City in 2016
Brendan Marks posted on October 26, 2015 15:21
Ray Hartmann of St. Louis Magazine and Donnybrook, who's made waves in the St. Louis market for his unpopular views on the local stadium situation, joined The Hollywood Casino Press Box on Monday.
He discussed several topics surrounding the Rams' uncertain future and proposed St. Louis stadium project.
We transcribed most of the notable excerpts from the interview. You can listen to the whole thing below.
Do you think the Town Hall hearing at Peabody tomorrow night is just a show?
"Yes. They're fulfilling the letter of their relocation guidelines, which are not worth the paper they're printed on, I think. I don't know what the NFL is going to decide...but I can't imagine what our fans would say that would affect this process."
"I certainly wasn't advocating anybody not go. I'm interested to see how it goes with regard with how respectful and friendly people are to (NFL VP Eric Grubman). Hopefully it will be very civil. The NFL has a history with (St. Louis) that isn't great. I don't really see the point of any of this really."
On chances Rams stay or leave for LA:
"The idea that something anybody could stand up and say...the notion that they're going to come here and hear something that's going to impact the process is pury fantasy. It's five years this week that I wrote about Stan Kroenke and that he would no longer be the invisible man. I think in all likelihood, he's going to move the Rams to LA. I think the only chance St. Louis has of staying an NFL city if somehow...somebody was interested in acquiring a team and moving them here. I think there's a tiny chance Stan Kroenke isn't going to be able to move to team. If he's forced to stay here against his will, there's no possibility that he's going to invest in our stadium and lock in here for 30 years."
"We don't look like the best growth market for the next 30 years. I think it's very unlikely we're going to be an NFL city as of next year. I just think reality is such that so much of what he say is aspirational."
On the St. Louis Aldermen's pending decision on whether to approve stadium funding:
"The most recent proposal to the Aldermen is putting them in a tough spot. If you really look at the numbers clearly, it would cost the taxpayers - after whatever benefits there are economically in the facility - it would be a commitment of about $6 million a year above what they would be spending without a team. It is the equivalent of 50 police officers. I think this should get every bit the consideration every other project does. What they're asking for is a lot more than what they were asking for initially. The reason is they decided they couldn't get a vote in the county."
Listen to the whole segment here:
Hartmann: 'Very Unlikely' St. Louis an NFL City in 2016
Brendan Marks posted on October 26, 2015 15:21
Ray Hartmann of St. Louis Magazine and Donnybrook, who's made waves in the St. Louis market for his unpopular views on the local stadium situation, joined The Hollywood Casino Press Box on Monday.
He discussed several topics surrounding the Rams' uncertain future and proposed St. Louis stadium project.
We transcribed most of the notable excerpts from the interview. You can listen to the whole thing below.
Do you think the Town Hall hearing at Peabody tomorrow night is just a show?
"Yes. They're fulfilling the letter of their relocation guidelines, which are not worth the paper they're printed on, I think. I don't know what the NFL is going to decide...but I can't imagine what our fans would say that would affect this process."
"I certainly wasn't advocating anybody not go. I'm interested to see how it goes with regard with how respectful and friendly people are to (NFL VP Eric Grubman). Hopefully it will be very civil. The NFL has a history with (St. Louis) that isn't great. I don't really see the point of any of this really."
On chances Rams stay or leave for LA:
"The idea that something anybody could stand up and say...the notion that they're going to come here and hear something that's going to impact the process is pury fantasy. It's five years this week that I wrote about Stan Kroenke and that he would no longer be the invisible man. I think in all likelihood, he's going to move the Rams to LA. I think the only chance St. Louis has of staying an NFL city if somehow...somebody was interested in acquiring a team and moving them here. I think there's a tiny chance Stan Kroenke isn't going to be able to move to team. If he's forced to stay here against his will, there's no possibility that he's going to invest in our stadium and lock in here for 30 years."
"We don't look like the best growth market for the next 30 years. I think it's very unlikely we're going to be an NFL city as of next year. I just think reality is such that so much of what he say is aspirational."
On the St. Louis Aldermen's pending decision on whether to approve stadium funding:
"The most recent proposal to the Aldermen is putting them in a tough spot. If you really look at the numbers clearly, it would cost the taxpayers - after whatever benefits there are economically in the facility - it would be a commitment of about $6 million a year above what they would be spending without a team. It is the equivalent of 50 police officers. I think this should get every bit the consideration every other project does. What they're asking for is a lot more than what they were asking for initially. The reason is they decided they couldn't get a vote in the county."
Listen to the whole segment here: