[SoCalRam78]

I don't think it's that big of a deal either. It's the NFL they could spin it however they want. Sure Kroenke and the other owners could look at Jerry and go like "what the he'll" but as far as lawsuits and stuff idk.

Wouldn't be so sure. This is billions of dollars at stake. Lawyers who have dealt with the NFL have said there are legal grounds for collusion (based on this article, no quotes though). SK doesn't have to go rogue or even engage in a lawsuit, all he has to do is use this against the league to get his way.

These type of cases are the ones the league wants to avoid at all costs.

[Hacksaw]

I don't think it's that big of a deal either. It's the NFL they could spin it however they want. Sure Kroenke and the other owners could look at Jerry and go like "what the he'll" but as far as lawsuits and stuff idk.

Wouldn't be so sure. This is billions of dollars at stake. Lawyers who have dealt with the NFL have said there are legal grounds for collusion (based on this article, no quotes though). SK doesn't have to go rogue or even engage in a lawsuit, all he has to do is use this against the league to get his way.

These type of cases are the ones the league wants to avoid at all costs.

Agreed. Lawyers I've spoken to also concur. A conflict occurred and collusion is on the table. Whether it comes to that remains to be seen. Which other owners are going to want to side with him or his recommendations now?

[BuiltRamTough]

I don't think it's that big of a deal either. It's the NFL they could spin it however they want. Sure Kroenke and the other owners could look at Jerry and go like "what the he'll" but as far as lawsuits and stuff idk.

Wouldn't be so sure. This is billions of dollars at stake. Lawyers who have dealt with the NFL have said there are legal grounds for collusion (based on this article, no quotes though). SK doesn't have to go rogue or even engage in a lawsuit, all he has to do is use this against the league to get his way.

These type of cases are the ones the league wants to avoid at all costs.

Agreed. Lawyers I've spoken to also concur. A conflict occurred and collusion is on the table. Whether it comes to that remains to be seen. Which other owners are going to want to side with him or his recommendations now?

Hopefully you guys are right and Kroenke sues his bitch ass.

[Elvis]

http://www.insidesocal.com/nfl/2015/12/ ... nfl-style/

Business as usual, NFL style

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Vincent Bonsignore

It seemed like an innocent question when I asked it, just a simple ice breaker to Disney CEO Bob Iger wondering how he got involved as the new head of the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers Carson stadium push.

Iger’s answer, and the stir it created, made it anything but your basic opening lob.

In fact, it opened up a bit of a can of worms while offering a peek into business, NFL style.

Turns out it was Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson who initially approached Iger last summer about joining the Carson project and who eventually played a role in Iger accepting the position.

Which immediately elicited a big “Huh?”

How can Richardson, a sitting member on the NFL’s six-owner Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities tasked with evaluating the various stadium options available in Los Angeles, also play such an integral role in the development of one of the two L.A. stadium proposals being considered by the NFL?

Richardson, a staunch supporter of Chargers owner Dean Spanos, is on record as saying he supports the Carson project over St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s Inglewood project – which is within his rights.

But from the outside looking in, his participation as a committee member enhancing the Carson effort certainly raises an issue of process fairness.

And as some have speculated, maybe even open the door for legal action depending how this all turns out.

The NFL hopes to vote in January to decide which bid prevails. Approval requires at least 24 votes by the 32 owners. Richardson holds one of those votes. The committee he sits on is expected to offer a recommendation on what project it prefers. Some fellow owners may use that recommendation to base their vote.

If there aren’t some blurry lines there somewhere, your eyes must be better than mine.

Richardson is a member of the committee, yet he’s also aiding one project over another while trying to claim that he can make a decision that is in best interest of NFL.

Seems a bit fishy.

But then, this is the NFL we are talking about. And as we’ve learned more than a few times over the years, business NFL style is as distinctively unique as it is an accepted part of life to those who conduct it.

Which is why I consider legal action a remote possibility, at best. Especially upon doing some poking around the last few days.

The shared general consensus being: Just the NFL being the NFL.

Richardson’s hand in improving the Carson project speaks to the gray area the league sometimes operates to push for as many vibrant options as possible. The title of the committee on which he sits reveals part of its role: The Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities. The argument can be made – and already has via league sources – part of the committee’s function is to maximize the league’s options – or opportunities – in Los Angeles which, in turn, might maximize the offers available from the home markets.

Richardson, then, was operating squarely within the committee’s mandate.

His actions eventually resulted in attracting Bob Iger to an NFL project, which indisputably leaves the league better off than it was before.

And by strengthening the project, he put more pressure on San Diego and Oakland to get something done. To take it a step further, if for some reason Kroenke has a change of heart and accepts the stadium deal St. Louis leaders are proposing and Carson becomes the winner rather than a competing bid, it can be argued the work of Richardson helped make Carson a more dynamic plan.

As you can see, if it helps the bottom line the NFL will usually find a way to justify it.

Sketchy? Yes? Grounds for legal action? Not likely.

In fact, if I’m Kroenke and the Rams I’m probably wondering why Richardson felt the need to reach out to Iger in the first place.

To enhance the plan?

Or was it a Hail Mary Pass?

The next month or so might reveal the answer. We’ll find out then what site the league prefers and who is in the lead or working from behind.

For now it’s just business as usual, NFL style.

[SoCalRam78]

http://www.insidesocal.com/nfl/2015/12/12/business-as-usual-nfl-style/

Business as usual, NFL style

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Vincent Bonsignore

It seemed like an innocent question when I asked it, just a simple ice breaker to Disney CEO Bob Iger wondering how he got involved as the new head of the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers Carson stadium push.

Iger’s answer, and the stir it created, made it anything but your basic opening lob.

In fact, it opened up a bit of a can of worms while offering a peek into business, NFL style.

Turns out it was Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson who initially approached Iger last summer about joining the Carson project and who eventually played a role in Iger accepting the position.

Which immediately elicited a big “Huh?”

How can Richardson, a sitting member on the NFL’s six-owner Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities tasked with evaluating the various stadium options available in Los Angeles, also play such an integral role in the development of one of the two L.A. stadium proposals being considered by the NFL?

Richardson, a staunch supporter of Chargers owner Dean Spanos, is on record as saying he supports the Carson project over St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s Inglewood project – which is within his rights.

But from the outside looking in, his participation as a committee member enhancing the Carson effort certainly raises an issue of process fairness.

And as some have speculated, maybe even open the door for legal action depending how this all turns out.

The NFL hopes to vote in January to decide which bid prevails. Approval requires at least 24 votes by the 32 owners. Richardson holds one of those votes. The committee he sits on is expected to offer a recommendation on what project it prefers. Some fellow owners may use that recommendation to base their vote.

If there aren’t some blurry lines there somewhere, your eyes must be better than mine.

Richardson is a member of the committee, yet he’s also aiding one project over another while trying to claim that he can make a decision that is in best interest of NFL.

Seems a bit fishy.

But then, this is the NFL we are talking about. And as we’ve learned more than a few times over the years, business NFL style is as distinctively unique as it is an accepted part of life to those who conduct it.

Which is why I consider legal action a remote possibility, at best. Especially upon doing some poking around the last few days.

The shared general consensus being: Just the NFL being the NFL.

Richardson’s hand in improving the Carson project speaks to the gray area the league sometimes operates to push for as many vibrant options as possible. The title of the committee on which he sits reveals part of its role: The Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities. The argument can be made – and already has via league sources – part of the committee’s function is to maximize the league’s options – or opportunities – in Los Angeles which, in turn, might maximize the offers available from the home markets.

Richardson, then, was operating squarely within the committee’s mandate.

His actions eventually resulted in attracting Bob Iger to an NFL project, which indisputably leaves the league better off than it was before.

And by strengthening the project, he put more pressure on San Diego and Oakland to get something done. To take it a step further, if for some reason Kroenke has a change of heart and accepts the stadium deal St. Louis leaders are proposing and Carson becomes the winner rather than a competing bid, it can be argued the work of Richardson helped make Carson a more dynamic plan.

As you can see, if it helps the bottom line the NFL will usually find a way to justify it.

Sketchy? Yes? Grounds for legal action? Not likely.

In fact, if I’m Kroenke and the Rams I’m probably wondering why Richardson felt the need to reach out to Iger in the first place.

To enhance the plan?

Or was it a Hail Mary Pass?

The next month or so might reveal the answer. We’ll find out then what site the league prefers and who is in the lead or working from behind.

For now it’s just business as usual, NFL style.

Thanks Vinny B for your non legal perspective and telling us business is business. I'm guessing there are people who disagree with you.

[Hacksaw]

I would not wish to agree with condoning that sort of behavior. It basically is saying that there could be legal consequences under US law,, , but the NFL doesn't hold themselves to the same high standard.
Back to the by-laws again.

Who the F is in charge here then?
Richardson stacked the deck against Kroenke from the start. This is what the pro StL guys must have been eluding to although they weren't this sure why. So is Richardson in Charger,, er, charge? The way it's set up that dude has far too much influence. And he has some axe to grind against us.

ESK threatens if necessary but more likely Richardson should have his vote stripped and any testimony stricken.

[OldSchool]

Vinny once again massaging the testicles of Spanos, Davis and Carson.

[Hacksaw]

Vinny once again massaging the testicles of Spanos, Davis and Carson.

Trying to diminish the deed and settle any vitriol a brewing is straight from Fabiani's Master of Disaster playbook.
Vinny got the planned media leak this time. See the strings?

[Elvis]

I don't think Stan got where he is by being pushed around. My guess is he's usually the one doing the pushing...

[RamsFanSince82]

Vinny B/Carson/Fabini/Iger/Policy are now trying to spin the story from a few days ago to fix Iger's mistake.