urbanSTL

Has anyone had a chance to see this JOKE of a video? Ram rules!!????!!! Are they kidding!!!? It is an embarrassment to St. Louis football fans and the City in general. Let's make sure the world knows that we in STL do not have a clue and need instructions on how to be fans. Who is the marketing genious that came up with this and who is the total idiot that didn't first laugh, then fire the marketing group that came up with this mess. I am truly embarrassed as a Ram fan.
Great job Rams front office. Now it has gone viral and is all over the place.

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/M ... Video.aspx

Has anyone had a chance to see this JOKE of a video? Ram rules!!????!!! Are they kidding!!!? It is an embarrassment to St. Louis football fans and the City in general. Let's make sure the world knows that we in STL do not have a clue and need instructions on how to be fans. Who is the marketing genious that came up with this and who is the total idiot that didn't first laugh, then fire the marketing group that came up with this mess. I am truly embarrassed as a Ram fan.
Great job Rams front office. Now it has gone viral and is all over the place.

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/M ... Video.aspx

That is pretty bad. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I didn't get to see it before the game on Sunday because I was still trying to get through security despite getting in line at 11:30.

The video is terrible, but some of the fans in the dome are an issue. People will tell the fans in front of them to sit down on 3rd down and will even get an usher if the fans in front of them don't comply. This was a poor attempt to address the problem though. The Rams probably would have been better off just instructing game day staff not to make fans sit down. It would have at least saved them some embarrassment.

I wonder when St. Louis football fans forgot how to be fans. We had the Big Red for years and only lost the NFL for 8 years. How did the fanbase get so lame? Is it the Dome? I doubt it. Old timers or stiffs would still attend games at an outdoor venue. I know the dome is a terrible place to watch a game. Maybe this is not just a STL thing. Maybe we just make a big deal about it. Maybe local football fans forgot how to be fans or the rules of the game. You would think that, considering the Rams have to put out rules for their fans to make the game better. Rams Rules are not the answer. How F'n lame is that. If you really want a good laugh, read the comments under the youtube posting of this video. Hilarious and embarrassing.

DogtownBnR wrote:I wonder when St. Louis football fans forgot how to be fans. We had the Big Red for years and only lost the NFL for 8 years. How did the fanbase get so lame? Is it the Dome? I doubt it. Old timers or stiffs would still attend games at an outdoor venue. I know the dome is a terrible place to watch a game. Maybe this is not just a STL thing. Maybe we just make a big deal about it. Maybe local football fans forgot how to be fans or the rules of the game. You would think that, considering the Rams have to put out rules for their fans to make the game better. Rams Rules are not the answer. How F'n lame is that. If you really want a good laugh, read the comments under the youtube posting of this video. Hilarious and embarrassing.

I notice you are talking about Rams fans in 3rd person. Have you been to a game in the dome lately? Doesn't sound like it. As a season ticket holder since 1995, I find that it is a lot more entertaining than it used to be, independent of play on the field. No different than the KC game I attended. (I just wish the lights were brighter as if the roof was open.) Kevin Demoff has done a good job. If you have been to a game in the last 15 years, you would know that the vast majority of the fans don't need these rules. Except for possibly season 1 in 1995, the fans have done an outstanding job of yelling loudly when the Rams are on defense -- to mess up audibles and make offensive players jump offsides -- and it works, and of being quiet when the Rams are on offense -- to allow the audibles and snap count to be heard. We do better than most team I've seen on TV. But every year there are new fans. This year there are lots of new fans. I believe the video was directed at the new fans, and the first game is when you would show it, I suppose.

I'm always amazed at people who show up for a game only occasionally probably with gift tickets. I call them tourists. They 1) do not wear Rams clothes or may not even wear blue. 2) They look at the ceiling and upper deck a lot and look around at the crowd during the game -- they don't yell encouragement to the team at all, and 3) they usually make some pronouncement about how crowd isn't very _____ (either loud, courteous, or seated). They don't seem to realize, they are the crowd.

i'm with you gary...the crowd last Sunday was excellent...especially after SJAX scored...

DogtownBnR wrote:Has anyone had a chance to see this JOKE of a video? Ram rules!!????!!! Are they kidding!!!? It is an embarrassment to St. Louis football fans and the City in general. Let's make sure the world knows that we in STL do not have a clue and need instructions on how to be fans. Who is the marketing genious that came up with this and who is the total idiot that didn't first laugh, then fire the marketing group that came up with this mess. I am truly embarrassed as a Ram fan.
Great job Rams front office. Now it has gone viral and is all over the place.

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/M ... Video.aspx

They played a few of these videos during the Rams-Eagles game last week. They may be ridiculous, but they worked, and that's the most important thing. The fans chanted "first down" on first downs and did the slow clap with Josh Brown on kickoffs. As long as they get our fans to act like real football fans, I have no problem with these videos. They should have done something like this back in 95 - our fans are more accustomed to the leisurely experience of watching baseball.

They did in 1995. Not on the screen but in the newsapapers. We had a lot of new fans back then, and we have a lot now. But if you've been to any Rams games since 1995, you would know that 99% of the regular fans are loud when the Rams are on defense, and quiet when the Rams are on offense. Have you been there? Did you yell at the correct times? It often does not come across on TV, because they can dial in as much or as little background noise as they want. But in the dome, it is obvious. When the Eagles had to take an timeout, or were penelized for delay of game, or jumped offsides in the dome -- that is the work of the crowd noise. As far as the other "rules" go -- such as standing up and yelling "first down" -- I really don't care about those so-called rules. They have no effect on the game. Do them in your home if you choose.

^^^^I've actually been to a ton of games and watch every game I am not at. I have been following the Rams since 95' when they started 4-0. I was not trying to say I am not a Rams fan by talking in 3rd person. Regarding the "rams rules', they are pathetic and lame! I will never agree with anyone that supports that commecial. I have been an NFL fan forever, used to go to every Big Red game as a kid. My parents had season tix. I know that STL fans are not dumb enough to need 'rules'. If they want to have people do chants, just encourage them on the jumbotron. No need to make an embarrassing commercial that makes us look dumb across the NFL. I agree that Demoff is doing a very good job, but he dropped the ball on the Rams rules campaign.
I agree, the Dome can have a good feel to it, if the Rams are winning and the crowd is loud. However, the actual Dome is an terrible place to watch a game, compared to even other domes, much less outdoor venues. That has been said many times. No need to rehash the reasons.
Regarding fans, they die after the team gets way behind or loses. I have been to many games where the opposing team's fans fill the dome. That is embarrassing and I hope the team starts winning. That will solve that. I just wish STL could support the Rams unconditionally, like KC, Chicago and other cities. Win, lose or draw, other teams fans, come out in masses. I know they have more tradition on their side, but the Rams have been here for long enough to start expecting endless sellouts and a sea of blue and gold, win or lose. I think the dome needs blues seats, so the crowd looks even more intimidating. (Back to the sea of blue and gold thing) WHY the h-ll the Dome has red seats, I will never understand. I know the Dome came before the Rams, but it has been 16 years. Light up the upper deck to the ceiling and put in blues seats and most of all, put a winner on the field. That will make things better, regarding atmosphere.

Thought this was an interesting read from my old childhood stomping grounds and being a Vikings Fan. Vikings 0-3 to start the season, but Metrodome lease expires at end of year. Can picture a few public meetings scatter around St Louis county in 2013 with PD artricle stating pretty much the same thing.

Foes give panel an earful on subsidy for Vikes stadium

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/130753368.html

However, the one difference is that the Vikings and/or Jaguars might be already headed to LA and the amounts being discussed for an Edwards Dome upgrade might be quite a bit smaller then what the Vikings owners are asking for, $300 mil from the county/region and another $300 mil from the state.

GO CARDS! Hopefull they will make my loud vocal boss miserable by beating his beloved Phillies. It was kinda of enjoyable last year when he had to accept a Giants jersey at the end of the season from a co-worker in my new home town.

The Rams have been hosting lunches in the dome for charter PSL holders this month. My wife and I went today. They served a nice catered lunch in the Bud Light Party Zone. Kevin Demoff talked and took questions. I'd say there were about 120 people there today. Then they let us tour the Rams locker room and get our pictures taken by Bradford's locker. Finally we got to walk out onto the field and take pictures. Some cheerleaders were there and gave out signed photos. Also handed out long sleeve Rams T-shirts as we left. Pretty classy thing to do.

Kevin answered all questions anyone had -- he stayed as long as anyone wanted to ask questions. Many questions were fairly hostile -- challenging what the Rams were doing that lead to the 1-7 record, but Kevin answered honestly about their own disappointment in the record so far.

I thought people on this forum may be interested in what he said about a question on the Rams moving.

Paraphrasing, he said <<St. Louis is a terrific market. Rams are doing things to engage the fans. They are thinking long term and want to see what the fan base looks like after 20 years of doing what they are doing now to engage fans. Or if they had done this from the start, would the fan base be better now.>>

In August when the Rams were 10.5 games out, the Rams and Cardinals were both on TV the same weekend. Rams preseason had twice the viewership rating as Cardinals weekend. Rams have twice as many season ticket holders. When someone says St. Louis is a Baseball town – nonsense. It is a football town. When Steven scored on first play of season, the dome was rocking.>>

Roughly quoting or paraphrasing, he said <<St. Louis has to decide what it wants in terms of a new stadium that can be used for more than 8 dates per year. The U2 concert was in Baseball stadium, Kiel center has the frozen four – those things could be in a dome, but it was bypassed. Final 4 and other events bypassed the dome because it is older than venues in Indy, KC, Nashville. Open air would be good, but it won’t pay if used 8 times per year. Whether it is in downtown or Fenton. It is a decision for St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the state of Missouri. The Rams are just users 8 games per year.>>

He was Implying we need a new stadium, it needs to be downtown, and it needs to have a dome so it can be used at least 40% of the time, not just 8 days per year, and it needs to have the amenities to compete with other cities with new stadiums -- not what Dallas has, but something to compete with Indy, Nashville, upcoming new stadium in Minneapolis, etc.

gary kreie wrote:Paraphrasing, he said <<St. Louis is a terrific market. Rams are doing things to engage the fans. They are thinking long term and want to see what the fan base looks like after 20 years of doing what they are doing now to engage fans. Or if they had done this from the start, would the fan base be better now.>>

In August when the Rams were 10.5 games out, the Rams and Cardinals were both on TV the same weekend. Rams preseason had twice the viewership rating as Cardinals weekend. Rams have twice as many season ticket holders. When someone says St. Louis is a Baseball town – nonsense. It is a football town. When Steven scored on first play of season, the dome was rocking.>>

Roughly quoting or paraphrasing, he said <<St. Louis has to decide what it wants in terms of a new stadium that can be used for more than 8 dates per year. The U2 concert was in Baseball stadium, Kiel center has the frozen four – those things could be in a dome, but it was bypassed. Final 4 and other events bypassed the dome because it is older than venues in Indy, KC, Nashville. Open air would be good, but it won’t pay if used 8 times per year. Whether it is in downtown or Fenton. It is a decision for St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the state of Missouri. The Rams are just users 8 games per year.>>

He was Implying we need a new stadium, it needs to be downtown, and it needs to have a dome so it can be used at least 40% of the time, not just 8 days per year, and it needs to have the amenities to compete with other cities with new stadiums -- not what Dallas has, but something to compete with Indy, Nashville, upcoming new stadium in Minneapolis, etc.

This is utterly preposterous. If these are Demoff’s actual words I would have tore him apart on the spot.

For starters, St. Louis is a baseball town. Just read the paper. If they hired a new manager tomorrow, and Obama was shot, the new manager would be above the fold. It’s kinda sad actually.

Also, the Rams may have more season ticket holders because of the ticketing structure. It’s a lot easier to have 10 tickets at $100 than it is to have 81 at $40 (or even half season at the same price). The Rams could say they have more PSL owners than the Cardinals too – because the stadium has 20,000 more seats!

The only reason there isn’t a team in LA right now is because they don’t have a new stadium. If LA built one, the NFL would approve a move so fast Irsay would look slow.

Regarding a new stadium for events, that’s total rubbish. U2 held a concert at the dome in the late 90s (I was there), the Final Four was held in 2005 (again, I was there). Passing over a stadium because it’s 17 years old? Give me a break. FIFA awarded the world cup to Qatar, a country with 235 people and a bus. You really think they award these sporting events on merit? We probably didn’t have a competitive “bid”.

Also, they held a hockey game in Fenway Park. I’m sorry, but if you can hold a hockey game in Fenway (over 100 years old I think?), you can hold anything you want, anywhere you want. The city screwed up the first time by not making it retractable roof, but what’s done is done. The Rams aren’t moving, no state (save MAYBE California) is considering green-lighting a $500m stadium at the moment.

Come talk to me again in a decade when this conversation may be worth having.

I sent a thank-you note to the Rams for the lunches the Rams are holding for us original charter PSL holders. I also added this note and question about the EJ Dome:

The seats are close to the field in the dome, it has a lid for environment control, it has as many luxury sky boxes as any new stadium except maybe Dallas and the Meadowlands. So, what would a new stadium have in terms of features that the dome does not already have?

Here is the Rams response to my question, in terms of changes they would like to see to the current dome:

Putting more screens in the upper corners of the endzones, changing the roof to make it more transparent and lots of ideas for increasing the natural light that comes into the building. Add some themed restaurants or bars in the 400 level to make the experience better. Ingress/egress, increased vertical transportation to the upper levels, better communications/wireless systems throughout the building, more public gathering areas, a team store, etc.

gary kreie wrote: I also added this note and question about the EJ Dome:

The seats are close to the field in the dome, it has a lid for environment control, it has as many luxury sky boxes as any new stadium except maybe Dallas and the Meadowlands. So, what would a new stadium have in terms of features that the dome does not already have?

Here is the Rams response to my question, in terms of changes they would like to see to the current dome:

Putting more screens in the upper corners of the endzones, changing the roof to make it more transparent and lots of ideas for increasing the natural light that comes into the building. Add some themed restaurants or bars in the 400 level to make the experience better. Ingress/egress, increased vertical transportation to the upper levels, better communications/wireless systems throughout the building, more public gathering areas, a team store, etc.

If the Rams want all this they can pay for it themselves or leave. STL stupidly agreed to renovate the stadium to keep it competitive with the modern standard over time. STL can choose to ignore this, in which case the rams can break the lease and move. I would love to see them do this, to a city with no stadium even close to what they have in STL, save for a college town, which the NFL would never approve. In short, STL has lived up to their end of the deal out of good faith. Realistically, they never had to do anything because the Rams are never going to move (legal fees would probably have been cheaper in the long run too).

Besides, all these added features are $$$ into the Rams pockets. Screens = ad revenue, restaurants = food/drink revenue, team store = merchandise revenue, milking the 40,000 that bother showing up for even more for a lousy product. Sorry, my bullsh*t detector can only take so much. They want these changes so they can make more money, plain and simple.

I think the Rams were just answering my question on what they would like to see in terms of ways to improve the experience for the fans in the dome. They didn't say they wouldn't contribute to doing it.

But earlier, they pointed out that the Rams just play in the dome 10 days per year. They were pointing out, at the lunch, that we all, as a St. Louisans, need to consider improvements that would make the dome attractive to event planners the other 355 days of the year -- attractive nationally and locally. So I made some suggestions and asked what they would like to see. That's all.

rawest1 wrote:If Kroenke doesn't get enough of what he wants, then I think he'll certainly play the "We're moving to L.A. card," and if he still doesn't like the deal, he'll make the move.

And St. Louis will be NFL-less forever.

Again, go ahead and let him bluff. LA does not have a stadium yet, nor have they actually approved one. The Rams left LA because of a lack of a stadium deal. Would they go back without one? Where's he gonna go? San Antonio? Smaller population and an older stadium. Toronto? Smaller stadium and older again, plus they're courting the Bills. London? Don't make me laugh.

And so what if STL doesn't have a football team? Has LA suffered irrevocably because there's no NFL team there? No. There are many successful cities that don't have NFL franchises, and unsuccessful cities with one.

gary kreie wrote:I think the Rams were just answering my question on what they would like to see in terms of ways to improve the experience for the fans in the dome. They didn't say they wouldn't contribute to doing it.

But earlier, they pointed out that the Rams just play in the dome 10 days per year. They were pointing out, at the lunch, that we all, as a St. Louisans, need to consider improvements that would make the dome attractive to event planners the other 355 days of the year -- attractive nationally and locally.

Sure, and I’m calling bullsh*t.

They didn’t say they wouldn’t contribute – but did they say they would?

Why are the Rams saying these things, but not national event planners, or even the CVC staff? I haven’t seen an article that I can remember saying the dome isn’t competitive with other domes for events because of its current status from these far more reputable sources. But somehow, coming from the Rams, who use the Dome for their own personal gains, they suddenly feel it’s not competitive and now they’re being altruistic? BS.

Again, I cite the Final 4 held in 2005 and Qatar. If St. Louis wants more events, it needs to pay more cronies off, not waste it on bells and whistles.

I don't think the Rams leaving would be a net positive for StL.

^I think that totally depends on what would be required to make them stay.

"There are many successful cities that don't have NFL franchises, and unsuccessful cities with one."

I love when people make this argument. It really shows the lack of understand about sports being icons for a city. Every major city but one has a NFL team. Question for everyone, which city in the top cities (MSA) do not have an NFL team? I highlighted for those who don't know all the teams. And guess what, they are about to have a team soon. If the rams did leave, not only would we be the first city to lose a team twice (we wouldn't get another team for decades) but also the biggest city without one. What does that say for us as a city.



If you want to be a major city you need exposure outside of your city. The NFL is a great way to get 24/7/365 advertising for your city throughout the US via news, scores, sports channels, merchandise, etc.

Quote from earlier "Putting more screens in the upper corners of the endzones, changing the roof to make it more transparent and lots of ideas for increasing the natural light that comes into the building. Add some themed restaurants or bars in the 400 level to make the experience better. Ingress/egress, increased vertical transportation to the upper levels, better communications/wireless systems throughout the building, more public gathering areas, a team store, etc."

These all are great ideas. They all improve the Dome while pushing off the need for a new stadium for a couple more decades. Just picture a couple of restaurants located in the South End of the Dome overlooking the field that business professional could walk to for lunch / meetings. It will keep the stadium activate everyday and not just Sundays. As for those who think the Rams just want to pad their pockets, you're correct. You must seem to forget that the Rams are a business. Is it fair for the Cards to put a Build-a-Bear at the entrance to the stadium so every kid sees it. No but they are a business and profit is the key to every business so don't use that as an excuse.