[BuiltRamTough]

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/new ... -meetings/
Spanos has allies, Kroenke has money

NEW YORK — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has long been, among the other 31 NFL team owners, one of Dean Spanos’ closest friends.

They have, on several occasions, spoken with a warmth that burrows beneath the usual platitudes this exclusive clan of rich men publicly bestow on each other.

“Deano,” a beaming Irsay exclaimed as he grabbed a tearful Spanos in an embrace following the Chargers’ playoff victory in Indianapolis in January of 2008.

They have sat next to each other in countless league meetings. They shared a unique closeness with late Raiders owner Al Davis, whose son, Mark, is now partnered with Spanos on a proposed stadium project in Carson.

It is in a quandary faced by Irsay that Spanos’ challenge is characterized.

“Of course, as owners, personal friendships come into play,” Irsay said. “But in business, mistakes are often made if they’re led by emotion. You have to be very thoughtful.”

Spanos, the Chargers chairman, has spent two decades being the consummate NFL soldier, personifying the catch-phrase of owners and league executives – “in the best interest of the NFL.”

In recent years, Spanos has spent much time demonstrating to the league and his fellow owners that he has exhausted his options for getting a stadium in San Diego. To that end, he has largely succeeded. There is a clear desire by many owners and, it is believed, by commissioner Roger Goodell, to make sure the Chargers are rewarded for Spanos’ assiduousness, be that in facilitating the franchise’s move to Los Angeles or helping ensure a soft landing back in San Diego.

RELATED: Chargers, Rams mediation could happen | NFL on way to L.A., but questions remain

Several sources indicate Spanos has, at least, the nine votes that would block St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke from being approved to move to Los Angeles. He also is believed to have at least the philosophical support of at least two members of the influential Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

However, there is a puzzle the NFL is engaged in trying to solve, as Kroenke’s stadium proposal in Inglewood is viewed by some influential owners as the grander project, more befitting the nation’s biggest sports league’s return to the nation's second-largest market.

While Irsay was careful to not tip one way or another, he said he has an idea where the process is headed. And it is the Inglewood proposal, with its size and Kroenke’s deep pockets, that seems to fulfill Irsay’s vision.

“It would be exciting if this site is a place … (that) has a Disneyland sort of feel where it is a real location where people go to,” Irsay said.

The thought by Irsay, as well as other owners and league executives, is that the NFL Network would be located on whichever L.A. site is chosen, and there has been talk of an NFL museum. Kroenke’s proposal also includes other entertainment venues, and it is located adjacent to the recently renovated Inglewood Forum.

The Carson site is viewed as more of simply a stadium.

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Among the other highly involved owners who often speaks highly of Spanos is Jerry Jones. The Dallas Cowboys’ boss again heaped praise on Spanos this week.

Jones stopped himself short every time he seemed on the verge of publicly endorsing Inglewood. However, his preference has long seemed clear.

“I think it’s our number one, from my perspective, our number one opportunity, our number one focus should be on doing a project in L.A. that wows ‘em,” Jones said here.

Jones refers often to his team’s AT&T Stadium, the opulent behemoth to which other stadiums can only partially measure in terms of amenities and grandiosity.

“That’s the bar to beat for L.A.,” he said. “This is Jerry Jones talking, and I don’t want to be presumptuous enough to say our stadium is the best stadium. But I know the work it took, I know the money it took, I know the risk it, too. L.A. needs every bit of that.”

It is here, in discussion with the L.A. committee on Tuesday and during meetings and breaks between meetings Wednesday, that Spanos is attempting to demonstrate his project’s viability and also continues his quest for support.

The other owners weigh not only their desire to support other owners but what lifts the league as a whole – and end that, of course, benefits individual teams.

“The 32 teams are interested in what’s best for the long-term success of the league,” said George McCaskey, chairman of the Chicago Bears. “There may be some amount of personal regard involved, but I don’t know how much influence that is going to have in the final analysis.”

[BuiltRamTough]

Don't mix feelings and emotions with business. That's a dangerous game to play.

[bubbaramfan]

Irsay has a bigger friend than Spanos, His bank. Just like the rest of the filthy rich owners, when it comes to choosing friend over money, money wins. Their whole lives revolve around money and profit. Its why Kroenke will get what he wants and Spaonos won't/ Stan has money and Dean doesn't.

[max]

What would it take to force Spanos into a deal with Kroenke?

Right now, he thinks he can win. He thinks he can at least block Kroenke, and sounds like he's right at this point.

Something is going to have to change between now and January for Spanos to give up on Carson. If the STL stadium deal falls apart, that may force Spanos to give in. Really, it's going to take the other owners to put pressure on him. If they don't, Spanos will just sit and wait it out.

The owners are under a lot of pressure as well. They have 3 months to get this thing resolved or risk putting themselves in a position that nothing gets done.

So how long does Kroenke wait to start digging if there is no decision in January?

[snackdaddy]

I know Kroenke has never indicated he would be willing to challenge the league in court and move without permission. But that option is on the table and the league does not need that now. Not the way they've been taking hits lately. I still think money comes before personal relationships with these owners. They will find a way to let Kroenke fulfill his vision. And they will find a way to appease Spanos too. Kroenke seems more willing to concede things to Spanos. Spanos doesn't seem as willing. Owners have to notice that too.

[BuiltRamTough]

NFL owners and Goodell would urinate on their own mother if they could make an extra buck.

Let's not fool ourselves. We've been around the NFL long enough to know how their mentality is. They're all filthy greedy bastards.

Some have said if it went to a secret ballot Inglewood would win. Shows you how much they care about Deano.

[Stranger]

THe one with the biggest bank account has the biggest allies.

[Hacksaw]

The owners ultimately would prefer to get someone in LA and keep someone in SD.
The only safe situation is Rams to LA 2016,, with an open door for a second team. ESK has to pay the extortion fee to help fund one of the other 2 stadiums. If they can't agree on something a sensible as that,, then who knows what will happen. Seems like a no brainer, but I'm sure those is StL and LA Raiders fans would disagree.

Stranger , yeah money talks and well you know the rest, but we are talking about an interesting group of voters here.

Perhaps they already have taken a secret vote. I have a feeling they already did at the last meeting. That would have been a perfect time for them to get a preliminary feel for what is happening among themselves without the political stuff. Wouldn't you have? The 3 owners were asked to leave as I recall.

[snackdaddy]

THe one with the biggest bank account has the biggest allies.

Yup. They may have a soft spot for Deano. But Stan's money gives them an erection.

[TSFH Fan]

THe one with the biggest bank account has the biggest allies.

Yup. They may have a soft spot for Deano. But Stan's money gives them an erection.

Soft for Dean
Hard on for Stan

Hey, somebody had to say it!