St. Louis Rams: Rams Nation Speaks Up; Rams Future in St. Louis Cloudy

The date that has been marked on the calendar and etched into the minds of countless St. Louis Rams fans for eons has finally arrived: February 1, 2012.  Today is the day that marks the countdown towards overwhelming joy or gut-wrenching heartache.  

Today, the Rams will meet with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Convention regarding the much ballyhooed lease which was agreed upon between both parties in 1995.  This was the year the Rams moved their organizational roots to the Gateway City in Stan Kroenke's home state of Missouri. 

Today, the CVC will present a proposal to the Rams regarding significant upgrades to the Edward Jones Dome that is designed to ensure a long-term and/or permanent stay of the franchise in St. Louis.

The Rams will have until March 1st to accept or reject that proposal.  

Although St. Louis fans would love nothing more than to see the Rams accept this initial proposal and witness a speedy resolution, that is unlikely.  In most negotiations, the initial offering is the start of the game, not the end of it. 

Thus, it is expected that the Rams will ultimately reject the CVC's proposal by or before March 1.  If so, they have until May 1 to present a counter offer regarding how to make the Edward Jones Dome a more fan friendly, attractive, and profitable venue for both the Rams and the city of St. Louis.

The CVC would then need to show the Rams how they would implement those request and come to a mutual agreement (Rams/CVC) or both parties would move to arbitration on June 15th, which could last until the end of the year.

At the end of the arbitration a ruling would be made.  If an agreement was not reached, the Rams would be free to relocate after the 2014 season or remain in St. Louis on a year-to-year lease, as the Chargers are doing now in San Diego.

The CVC is required, by the language of the lease, to ensure that the Edward Jones Dome is a "top-tier" facility, one that is of the top 25 percent of all in the NFL.  However, the language therein is very murky in regard to what constitutes "top-tier" and leaves room for the potential of considerable variations of interpretation.

Although I fully expect a pro St. Louis resolution in 2012 for a myriad of reasons, including those detailed here, it could be a nerve-wracking and emotional process in the meantime. 

Several St. Louis Rams fans representing distinct geographical areas and various viewpoints shared their thoughts regarding the St. Louis based franchise.  These individuals shared why the Rams mean so much to them and why where they play is so important. They also stated what they hope the outcome of the lease negotiations will be.  

Ryan Bundy, an avid fan from Maryville, Illinois emailed me and said:

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The Rams mean a lot to me individually and I believe mean a lot to the city of St Louis.  We sacrificed so much in bringing the team here in 1995 that it would be a shame to see them leave...  I believe the Rams are finally on the right track to return to our winning ways, and Stan has put a big investment in the team with Jeff Fisher and his high-caliber coaching staff.  We as fans of the St Louis Rams have gone through the worst stretch of any team in the last 5 years in the history in the NFL, it is time for the Rams to rise from the ashes and become a perennial contender again under Jeff Fisher.  The lease situation will take care of itself hopefully soon, and hopefully will not be a distraction for the 2012 season and beyond.  I personally cannot wait for the draft, free agency, and the upcoming season.

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Jeff Edwards, a die-hard fan from Western Kentucky, shared his own feelings regarding the Rams:

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I've had 2 PSLs since '03. We spend around 7 hours on the road every game day. We haven't missed a game, preseason included. We are huge Rams fans 365 days a year. My son Adam, 24, named his son Deacon, after Deacon Jones. He goes to half the games with me and my 17 year old daughter goes to most of the others with my wife getting a game now and then.  I am one of the few apparently that believes the Rams and the CVC will get the lease extended. We love the city of St. Louis and visit there often for Cards games as well as the 10 trips a year (9 next year) for Rams games. I think the Rams have made some very good hires as far as the coaching staff is concerned, and things are looking up for Rams football again.

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St. Louis fans, as illustrated in the above quotes, are torn between the concerns of the lease and the anticipation of a new era that promises some much more competitive football over the horizon.  But that view over the horizon is cloudy right now, due to the uncertain state of the organization. Those clouds will hover until a resolution of some sort is reached.   Of course, not every fan from amongst Rams nation desires a long term stay in the Show-Me State.   Southern California's Scott Fibrow shared some differing sentiments regarding what he hopes is the end result of lease negotiations:  " I would love for the rams to move back to LA. They have a long History in Southern California. The Rams Were in LA from 1946 - 1994.  48 years!  They made the playoffs 21 times in those years. Had 14 div titles. Played in 7 NFC championship games. Played in 4 NFL championship games and played in 1 Super Bowl.  " Although the Rams were technically there 49 years, the Rams have now been gone 17.  Much has been made of a return to the NFL by the Rams or another franchise, perhaps the San Diego Chargers, who are in year to year lease, or the Minnesota Vikings, who are operating without a lease altogether right now.   Even though some progress has been made on the Los Angeles stadium front, in many ways they are not closer to building an NFL ready stadium than they were a decade ago.  Commissioner Roger Goodell wants a stadium to be secured before a team moves there.  However, AEG, a group trying to allure the team to L.A., wants a team commitment before they build. Furthermore, some contend that NFL owners, as a whole, prefer that L.A. remain vacant as continual leverage, helping other cities attain new and/or upgraded facilities and amenities in their current cities.  Eventually L.A. will probably get a team, but I do not believe it will be the Rams.   The aforementioned Chargers and Vikings could easily beat the Rams there if it were a race to get there.  The Oakland Raiders will likely be free of their lease after the 2013 season and would  also be available for a potential move before the Rams, even if the Rams do not work out an agreement here.  The Buffalo Bills could be another option when Ralph Wilson passes, as the team is expected to go up for sale at that time. Although the above Southern California based Rams fan desires a move back to L.A., others in California, like Cesar Barrios of Visalia (roughly two hours from L.A.), just want stability and whatever is best for the Rams going forward: " Honestly I am one of those people who would be happy if they stay or go. More than anything I am looking for stability. The faster they resolve the CVC lease the faster they get to the job of making this team better. A stable organization with no drama attracts more fans and more importantly good players.  I wan't what people in St Louis have. I want to see my football team live every Sunday. I would love it if my son got to see the Rams. So yes I'm prejudice, but more than anything else I want my Rams to win. " Finally, Ryan Johnston of Ballwin, Missouri shared with me the love and passion he has for his hometown team.  Johnston has not not missed a home regular season, postseason or preseason game in 17 seasons, 17 seasons that include the worst five year stretch in NFL history.  Via email, Johnston shared the following: " Shane, How much do the Rams mean to me as a St. Louisan?  A lot.  My family has held season tickets since the team moved and to date I haven't missed a game.  Not just regular and post season, but preseason as well.  This last year alone I took time out of a vacation to drive 4 hours round trip to see 3 quarters of our first preseason game.  Each year I put a strain on at least one relationship.  I've missed birthdays and skipped parts of weddings.  I've chosen Rams games over historic Cardinal moments.  A number of times I've had to work with my wife to map out ways to not miss games yet meet obligations.  We even scheduled our wedding and honeymoon around a 2009 matchup.  All of this despite the fact that most of the Rams tenure in St Louis (besides the greatest show on turf era) has been at best mediocre with little expectation and at worst a complete nightmare or failure.  Still, I go.  I invest myself so much.  Not just during the season, but in the offseason as well.  Coaching changes, predraft workouts, the Draft, camp . . . I absorb and follow all the information that I can.   I'm still not sure why I do all this.  Ownership has never been particularly fan friendly.  Compared to the Blues and Cards, the promotions and fan care from the Rams is in its infancy.  As I pointed out before, the team on the field has had ongoing issues. But still, I go.  Maybe its because I do believe that things can get better.  Maybe its because I love football and that the NFL gives teams the ability to turn things around in a decent amount of time.  It may just be because I remember those 3 (magical) years and the time spent watching as a miracle occurred in person and I want to see that again and I hope to share that with my newborn daughter. Days ago I finally hate time to watch the Faulk "Rush to Canton" segment for the first time after recording it months ago. I sat down and turned it on while holding my now nearly 3 month old daughter.  As they played highlights from Faulks career, I looked back fondly on those seasons and was shocked by my daughter.  She started cooing and laughing and smiling while watching the images flicker.  Granted, she's young and I'm sentimental, but she hadn't responded like that to anything else I ever put on.  I then thought for the first time about sharing this team with her as well as sharing the St Louis traditional Cardinals with her.  It was the first time it had crossed my mind.  The team moved here early in high school.  In the time I've been going to these games I've graduated high school, college, started a career, watched friends get married, got married myself, watched friends have kids and now I've had my first.  The team is special to me in a way the Cardinals can never be.  The Cardinals are a St Louis institution adored by generations.  I've been alive for three of their 11 titles.  And while I love the history and the tradition to no end, it still makes one feel a little small.  With the Rams, I was at the ground floor.  I've seen their only Super Bowl title.  I've been there from day one.  And this isn't some third rate league, its the NFL.  I would like to think decades from now the team will have a great established St Louis tradition that I'll be able to remember every detail of and share and watch as it grows beyond my generation. But its not in my hands.  Its in the hands of the city, the county and the hands of a supposed Missourian that I'd like to trust and I'd love to call a hero for finally making something of this team in this region. " As Johnston so passionately points out in his moving correspondence, it is indeed now out of the fans hands. The fans that have supported this team outrageously through some absolutely revolting football, and "in the hands of the city, the county and the hands of a supposed Missourian that I'd like to trust and I'd love to call a hero..."  The CVC and Mr. Kroenke can all be heroes to St. Louis fans by ensuring a permanent home in St. Louis, Missouri, Kroenke's native state.   Or, Kroenke can go down as an historical villain in the state he has called home for over 60 years and the CVC Board of Commissions can be forever looked at as the individuals who failed to ensure that they held up their end of the lease agreement that, right or wrong, the city agreed to keeping in 1995. In the end, Kroenke could forever be known as "Killer" Kroenke for having ended pro football after ensuring, after only buying 30 percent of the Rams franchise on the precondition that the organization move to St. Louis and being lead investor for the St. Louis Stallions expansion efforts, that the team came here in the first place.   He would, ironically, be the man both most responsible for the return of pro football here and its' ultimate, fatal death.   On the other hand, Kroenke could be known through the heralds of history here as "King Kroenke", ensuring a long and successful stay in St. Louis.   Working with the city to retain a home in the Edward Jones Dome before eventually working with the city and/or county and state in constructing a state of the art Walmart Field or Sam's Club Stadium. What will it be, CVC?  Do you want to be viewed in the annals of time as the individuals who let the NFL escape the city of St. Louis for a second (and probably) final time?  Or do you want to be heroes who honored the agreed upon lease to the very best of abilities and worked out a viable solution?  One that could aid the growth of the city and region for decades to come, helping spur a revitalization like that of Indianapolis.  Mr. Kroenke, do you want a legacy as the hero who followed through and sealed the legacy as the single most important man to the long-term legacy of a permanent and storied Rams tradition in St. Louis?  Or a legacy as the man who sold out his home state for a few potential pieces of silver? If the CVC indeed does what they have said they will do, and do present a plan that is attractive and ensures top-tier status (again, that is cloudy) and Kroenke also does what he said he would, then an agreement is imminent.  In 2010, Kroenke said: " "There's a track record.  I've always stepped up for pro football in St. Louis. And I'm stepping up one more time.  I'm born and raised in Missouri. I've been a Missourian for 60 years. People in our state know me. People know I can be trusted. People know I am an honorable guy." "I'm going to attempt to do everything that I can to keep the Rams in St. Louis.  Just as I did everything that I could to bring the team to St. Louis in 1995. I believe my actions speak for themselves." " Indeed, his actions do speak for themselves and, at this point, we have no legitimate reason to expect the man who has done more to ensure NFL football in St. Louis to not do so "one more time". Mr Kroenke, you say you can be trusted.  You say you are stepping up one more time.   Now, here in the Show-Me State, it is time to step up and put a stamp to your statement.  It is time to seal the deal and work with the CVC to get this done.   If indeed you are going to do everything you can to keep the Rams in St. Louis, your actions will absolutely speak for themselves. If the CVC does what they promised to do in the lease, their actions will as well. The end result would be a rather long stay in the Gateway City and the crowning of a new king, "King" Kroenke, in St. Louis.   Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. Check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.

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