urbanSTL

The business journal article above indicated Kroenke was present. An article I read yesterday said Demoff and Kroenke's attorney were flying to NYC but it was nebulous as to whether Stan would hear the taskforce's presentation.

Was this the first documented example of Stan actually in front of the taskforce since Stan and Dave's superbowl cocktail party conversation?

The meeting lasting 2 hours is very encouraging if originally slated for 45 min. Daniel Kaplan was somewhat encouraging this morning on Bernie's show as he still things Raiders Chargers are the movers.

^ Before the news of the Iger involvement I pretty much was of the mind that Carson was more or less a long shot but that development is a big advance.... there's a lot of scenarios out there but I wouldn't doubt we could see both Inglewood and Carson move forward with Davis remaining in Oakland.

I can also see NFL choosing Carson and not Inglewood but what I don't see happening is NFL giving a thumbs up to the STL proposal; at best Kroenke will be free to leave elsewhere (besides LA) if that is what he wants.

^ Are we sure both projects -- or either -- would need it? Don't think San Diego was planning a vote until June, btw, but I can't really recall. Who knows, they may not even decide this winter if nobody budges and ownership is deadlocked. And then we'll all go insane.

^ that's the best scenario... pay off current Dome debt as much as possible and then get a cooperatve regional funding arrangement. But who knows what's in his mind. Maybe he'll try for London.

gary kreie wrote:So if a new downtown stadium is not acceptable to Kroenke, then why did he want a $700M upgrade to a stadium downtown? Oh wait, I guess he never did want that. He just used that to get out to LA.

Kroenke probably was set to go to LA back then as well, but who knows.... anyway, there is a big difference b/w a top-tier multi-purpose dome and a more limited open-air stadium. That is a big reason why Blank was willing to commit so much to the Georgia Dome replacement. And if you look at Kroenke's Inglewood plan, you can see why he is pursuing that... it can attract the big marquee events on a year-round basis and is part of a larger development he has a stake in. The riverfront open air stadium satisfies neither of those interests... it offers little potential to satiate the developer side of himself nor the ability to get the big time events that need to be held in a Dome.

So it's interesting to see what may transpire if he stays.... pursuing a renovated Dome hopefully would be part of the discussion. And Maryland Hts. might be able to become something sort of like the Patriot's set-up in Foxboro w/ surrounding development.

rbb wrote:Yeah, I think (pure speculation, FTR) the Maryland Heights property buy is a leverage play. If the NFL tells Stan the Rams have to stay and to work with the STL-NFL commission to build a new stadium there, then he'll at least have another option. 'You want a downtown stadium? Then do this and this and this or I'll work with the county to build one in the flats.'

That said, while I'd still like to see the team stay downtown, if that comes to fruition and Kroenke really wants to build his own complex in MH with his own money as opposed to being a tenant of a government-owned building (like he's currently planning to do in Inglewood), then godspeed to him. I'll make the trek out there to watch a game, too.

-RBB

I'll also happily go out to Maryland Heights. (I can't believe I just typed that.)

If National Car Rental Field won't end up hosting the NFL, I wonder how hard Peacock would push to scale it back into an MLS venue to remain relevant in the expansion race over the next few years? Follow up, if Stan builds a Rams' Complex in MH and owned it all, would that increase his desire to host/share MLS?

Also, I attended a local sports dinner last night where Randy spoke. A few thoughts from Randy and some STL attorneys/business leaders:

-Randy and the station leaders at 101.1 have not been able to contact Kevin Demoff or any Rams' administration since Randy's speech at the town hall meeting. He said literally minutes after he spoke, a usually open line of communication has been closed down.
-Randy still thinks Stan has eye on Broncos as a possibility. Apparently 5 of the Bowlen kids want to sell. 2 don't
-Randy has heard that the Taylors (the daughter is apparently the biggest sports fan) may have interest in purchasing the Rams should they be available
-The Peacock family and Taylor family have a long standing relationship
-According to some city attorneys and judges, the aldermen are putting on a good show, but don't have the votes to stop the funding
- The Bob Iger news is a big deal for Carson

^ Plan B actually was Plan A before the stadium came around.... it's the plan by GRG for the redevelopment of the Near North Riverfront. There's a thread somewhere around here on it.