Kevork Djansezian - Getty Images
Is the NFL coming back to Los Angeles? When and in what form?
In a Thursday interview with Bob Costas, NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell told the host that the league would most likely expand by two teams if they moved into the Los Angeles market. He also told Costas that the league wants to keep teams where they are. In his Friday press conference in Indianapolis, Goodell recited similar talking points in relation to the St. Louis Rams, but softened his stance on the expansion talk.
Specifically, Goodell said that the league has not discussed expansion. He added that he doesn't see expansion happening in the foreseeable future, but did note a ten-year window to make something happen for the NFL in LA.
Naturally, that led to questions about LA and the Rams. Goodell said that the NFL does indeed want to go back to sunny Southern California and the country's second-largest media market. However, he also said that it was a balancing act, according to Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal.
The commissioner did reiterate his talking point that the league wants to keep teams where they are. That said, the NFL isn't above using open spots in Los Angeles to give teams leverage in favorable stadium deals. So the commish didn't blow all of Stan Kroenke's leverage in Dome talks with the CVC.
Asked about the Rams specifically by Jim Thomas at the PD, Goodell said, "we'd love to have the St. Louis Rams stay in St. Louis."
Goodell said the same thing in an interview with Bernie Miklasz of the PD on Thursday.
Like most, I go back and forth on this issue everyday. Today, I return to my gut feeling that all of it is a leverage play for Stan Kroenke and the Rams to get a sweet deal to stick around in Missouri or maybe even suburban Illinois ... with more than a little help from the public trough.
0 recs | 8 comments
Asked about the Rams specifically by Jim Thomas at the PD, Goodell said, "we'd love to have the St. Louis Rams stay in St. Louis."
What do you think he’d say?
Eric Nagel - February 3, 2012
Come to live with me in Suburban Illinois Rams
your always welcome east of the river
Brick Top - February 3, 2012
The East St. Louis Rams?
Ugh?
Da Rams! - February 3, 2012
On the other hand, it would really help improve bullet proof vest sales.
wustl_chiefs_fan - February 3, 2012
And the strippers nightly income....
QA-Ram - February 3, 2012 via mobile
"Hustler Suite" to replace the Geek
Conveniently located next to the beer garden.
TimRamFan - February 3, 2012 via mobile
No Collinsville, they have a bunch of wide open space
or just come to Troy where I live.
Brick Top - February 4, 2012
Goodell shot down the LA deal, per 3rd party ownership.
Didn’t want AIG a 3rd party, to own the land beneath the stadium.
Would be unprecidented. The NFL has and never done it, and never will do it, they say.
So, once again, Ed Roski’s deal in the city of Industry looks closer to happening.
AIG pulled the same thing with the Staples Center. Pretty clever company.
look closer - February 3, 2012
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