There is some precedent for it though, with settlement of Cleveland's lawsuit against Modell, when he announced the Browns' move to Baltimore. Though in that case the settlement was a retention/reactivation of the Browns franchise, and all trademarks and records, under the condition that Cleveland built a new stadium.moorlander wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021Stop it with the expansion team nonsense. In no scenario does that make any sense whatsoever.
Excited to hear what happens in 10 days.
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Theres been some chat on 101 and I think they were referencing articles that calculate an expansion team at 2bn currently, which is much less than the 3.3bn that Karraker worked out the team is in for based on all the different things - taxes, dome debt, relocation fee, increase in value of Rams, costs of riverfront proposal, job losses.
I think we're now approaching a point where its going to be a settlement for an undisclosed sum. I can't see Kroenke wanting to take a chance with everyones dirty laundry getting aired in court and a potentially bigger cost to him, then the potential additional funding of his high priced attorneys for an appeal. Damage limitation now.
I think we're now approaching a point where its going to be a settlement for an undisclosed sum. I can't see Kroenke wanting to take a chance with everyones dirty laundry getting aired in court and a potentially bigger cost to him, then the potential additional funding of his high priced attorneys for an appeal. Damage limitation now.
I think only the plaintiffs and their attorney know the answer to that question. Usually, at least the majority of the parties would have to agree to any settlement, but they may have an agreement in place ceding the decision to one party.moorlander wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021^ Let me rephrase that. Who is the decision maker behind the STL case? If the NFL offers $$$$ to settle out of court vs going to trial, Who on the STL team makes that decision? Who gets the money and oversees it?
But, I'm pretty sure the plaintiffs' attorneys, from Blitz, Bardgett and Deutsch, are working on contingency, so they have a certain amount of influence over any settlement decision as well. They could quit if the plaintiffs refused to take a reasonable settlement offer. They would have to submit, and the judge would have to grant, a motion to withdraw, however. The attorneys are also under no obligation to pursue the case under appeal if, for example, a settlement offer was refused, and the plaintiffs were ultimately awarded a much smaller amount in damages.
Also, I'm not sure how the inclusion of an expansion franchise in a settlement would work considering the plaintiffs' attorneys are working on contingency. You could determine a franchise value obviously, but who would pay the percentage to the attorneys. That money would have to come out of the damages, which then gets really complicated.
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I wonder how much that is worth?Suburban Sprawl wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021I think we're now approaching a point where its going to be a settlement for an undisclosed sum. I can't see Kroenke wanting to take a chance with everyones dirty laundry getting aired in court and a potentially bigger cost to him, then the potential additional funding of his high priced attorneys for an appeal. Damage limitation now.
Do you think they'll want a lump sum, or a percentage of revenue from the LA stadium site?
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There won’t be an “undisclosed sum”, the 3 gov entities have to disclose it, weather willfully or via sunshine request later on
There won’t be a expansion team. There is no support for that whatsoever because it would still need public $ for a new stadium and there is zero interest in that, none whatsoever from Jones or Page or any other local gov official unless you think St.Charles will pony up $500,000,000 to bring an NFL team here and considering how the right hates all sports now don’t bank on it
There won’t be a expansion team. There is no support for that whatsoever because it would still need public $ for a new stadium and there is zero interest in that, none whatsoever from Jones or Page or any other local gov official unless you think St.Charles will pony up $500,000,000 to bring an NFL team here and considering how the right hates all sports now don’t bank on it
Let’s not forget that the state of Missouri will not put one single cent towards anything in St. Louis. Not with Parson and the militant GOP in control of Jeff City.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021There won’t be an “undisclosed sum”, the 3 gov entities have to disclose it, weather willfully or via sunshine request later on
There won’t be a expansion team. There is no support for that whatsoever because it would still need public $ for a new stadium and there is zero interest in that, none whatsoever from Jones or Page or any other local gov official unless you think St.Charles will pony up $500,000,000 to bring an NFL team here and considering how the right hates all sports now don’t bank on it
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Interesting never realised they need to declare any figures.
I can't see an expansion team at all to be honest. Not because there is a lack of appetite despite all the bad blood and there is previous with the NFL in Cleveland, I just don't see the NFL being ready at this point to expand nor a team like the Chargers moving here. Anyone could play in the Dome with reasonable renovation costs, the actual infrastructure of that building is fine, its the aesthetic issues that hurt it. Not to mention on the way out they slaughtered the cities viability as a three team market, an NFL team would put it at four.
Its all on Kroenke to take the hit. How he gets around this or saves face at this point is beyond me.
I can't see an expansion team at all to be honest. Not because there is a lack of appetite despite all the bad blood and there is previous with the NFL in Cleveland, I just don't see the NFL being ready at this point to expand nor a team like the Chargers moving here. Anyone could play in the Dome with reasonable renovation costs, the actual infrastructure of that building is fine, its the aesthetic issues that hurt it. Not to mention on the way out they slaughtered the cities viability as a three team market, an NFL team would put it at four.
Its all on Kroenke to take the hit. How he gets around this or saves face at this point is beyond me.
Can someone send up the bat signal for GoneCorporate? I’d love to know their thoughts… They have a way of making me feel confident.
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I didn’t know the Carmody father and son duo are representing the NFL and the owners, this explains why they quit the Kim Gardner case because of a more pressing matter.
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I would take the cash over a new team. I’m not sold on the “exposure” argument and in terms of tangible economic impact it’s 8 weekends a year in a culture that prioritizes tailgating over restaurants and bars.
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Oh, very nice! Good catch!shadrach wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/07/13/ ... elocation/
Interesting, surprising view from Boston.
I can easily believe that, but I sincerely hope that it will have to be one that utterly spoils Kroenke's math on moving the team. I suppose it's like fighting an insurance company in court. You don't get what you asked, but you get more than they offered. And most often they pay more than you asked with the difference going to the attorneys and other associated professionals. In an ideal world the jerks learn to deal fairly, but somehow I doubt that will happen. Sooner or later Kroenke will screw LA too. (Unless LA screws him first, of course. They are a fairly big fish as such things go.) Just . . . make him pay, dang it!addxb2 wrote:Mike Florio is convinced a settlement is close.
https://sports.yahoo.com/monday-ruling- ... 28163.html
I'll second this...I'm also curious to hear what our resident analyst thinks about this.addxb2 wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021Can someone send up the bat signal for GoneCorporate? I’d love to know their thoughts… They have a way of making me feel confident.
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In my uneducated opinion...I think they settle and not with an expansion team. These guys (Mara, Richardson, Goodell, especially Jones, etc.) have got to be really pissed off right now.
I’m praying dear God let them have proof the Rams intentionally tanked the team to sour fan support. Vegas won’t take kindly to that, nor will the Feds.
If they have that proof, don’t settle, drop the bomb in court and let the fallout begin.
If they have that proof, don’t settle, drop the bomb in court and let the fallout begin.
It is all too easy to tank an NFL team without leaving any evidence of it. Just hire incompetent people and be really cheap, both of which are areas where the Rams really excelled.shadrach wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2021I’m praying dear God let them have proof the Rams intentionally tanked the team to sour fan support. Vegas won’t take kindly to that, nor will the Feds.
If they have that proof, don’t settle, drop the bomb in court and let the fallout begin.
Now, if you are talking about deliberately throwing games, that would be a whole different matter. I don't think even the Rams would have been that stupid.
Could totes live with St. Louis never again being allowed to exploit youth brain injury for entertainment and revenue.
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addxb2 wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021Can someone send up the bat signal for GoneCorporate? I’d love to know their thoughts… They have a way of making me feel confident.
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Well, I’ve been following this case like a hawk, and this entire NFL drama since word first leaked in January 2014 of Stank Kroenke buying land in Inglewood. I was out of town on vacation when Randy Karraker posted his tweets. I have to say that I was open-jawed amazed at what he wrote, then danced around a bit when I read of the bench order. Seriously, I danced a bit at this…
It remains quite possible that this case will not settle and therefore will continue all the way to trial.
Punitive Damages are absolutely in play.
Quick notes:
1. The attorneys are working on a contingency basis and have fronted all the costs of the suit. No public or tax dollars have been used in any of this suit. Plus, it’s Bob Blitz’s law firm; he was the second half of the STL Task Force, along with Bob Peacock, to keep the Rams in STL. His firm’s been prepping this case with the same work notes they wrote in their efforts to keep the team here. They have incredible independence and autonomy in this suit. Since the beginning, they have stated that they want a judgment in open court, not a settlement. Even as they’re not beholden to the citizenry, public support for a judgment over a settlement is also high.
2. IANAL… Missouri law states that Circuit Judge Christopher McGraugh’s bench order could only have been issued if the courts were presented with “clear and convincing evidence” that the plaintiffs were “intentionally harmed” from fraudulent actions committed by the defendants. Now, I’ve had hopes that the STL attorneys had some strong arguments they could make, but the fact that Judge McGraugh saw enough evidence in a pre-trial hearing to make this order has blown me away at how strong our case really is. Side note: I have a very high personal opinion of Judge McGraugh and his qualifications.
3. The bench order means the financials for the named entities and individuals could be entered into the public record. The NFL has got to be beyond terrified of this. The only anecdotal financials of the NFL come from the Green Bay Packers’ annual financial statements, which are limited in size and scope. What this order will mean is that all financials and net worth assessments must be presented for the League and the Rams, as well as for Stank Kroenke (personally and professionally) and the other named owners, with the potential for other owners to be enjoined into this disclosure with that 10-day filing deadline given Monday. Think about it: some of the richest men/families/private businesses in America will have to provide full accountings of their net worth and financials to a court room, which will then have them available as part of the public record should it go to trial. How scared do you think Jerry Jones is right now? How about the League as it’s on the receiving end of future concussion-related settlements from former players?
4. Financial data is in addition to the already submitted historical phone, text, and email records of the NFL, its franchises, and its franchise owners.
5. Funniest part of this case… Bob Kraft is among the owners named by the court to provide his full financials as a part of this case… Remember a few years ago, when he was accused of attending the wrong type of massage parlor in south Florida, then had to figure a way out of it? Looks like this court order could compel him to provide ALL of that payout info... in addition to the previously submitted phone and text records! How scared do you think HE is right now?!?!?!
6. Roger Goodell admitted in his deposition that the League’s relocation guidelines are mandatory and must be followed. The evidence is admittedly clear that the Rams’ relocation did not follow these relocation guidelines. That’s a hell of a lot of the case just right there.
7. The Rams, LLC recognized loans from the NFL for the construction of the Inglewood stadium more than double the $300MM STL sought (and was chastised for seeking) from the NFL’s G4 loan program. I think they were around $700MM but could be mistaken. Exact financing will be a part of any disclosure.
8. The Big Variable: The NFL entered into a new long-term media rights deal subsequent to construction of the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and the Rams’ & Chargers' relocation to Inglewood. (and the Raiders to Las Vegas, which is comparably incidental at best). Games will be broadcast on ABC; NBC; CBS; Fox; ESPN; Amazon; the NFL Network; and AT&T/DirecTV. Prior to this new contract, the League’s media rights deal was estimated at around $30BB… Starting in 2023, the new ten-year contract is valued at $100BB, as it now recognizes that 2 teams are now based in the LA metro area.
ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS!!!
These monies will be split among all 32 NFL franchises. They all will be personally enriched with this new media rights deal. This increase in media rights value will absolutely be recognized by the Plaintiffs when considering how the League has increased annuitized revenues triple that from before the LA relocation. It's not just their current net worth; it's their forecasted future annuitized revenue streams that are at play when the plaintiffs are assessing damages against them. If I were a plaintiff’s attorney, I’d absolutely argue for a share of this revenue stream on a go-forward basis as part of any judgment.
9. It’s a big story in STL media but not nationally, despite the fact that these are very, very serious charges against the League and some of its biggest owners. But, it’s not on ESPN or any of the other networks that have business relationships with the NFL for twelve-figures in cash. That’s not a coincidence. It’s not in their financial interests to bite the hand that feeds them.
10. How was the NFL so stupid as to let this happen? Simple: They never thought the case would get out of arbitration. That’s what Stank Kroenke promised them. That's why he assumed so much potential liability. That’s why he fought for this to be appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court, which denied them cert. (And remember, it was the appeal to the MO Court of Appeals which enjoined all the other NFL franchises and their ownership into the suit). They never thought this would happen. I credit hubris and a lack of foresight.
11. It is generally believed that Stank Kroneke & Kroenke Sports Enterprises assumed all costs associated to any and all legal actions that resulted from the Rams’ relocation from STL to Inglewood, that this was a precondition to the vote to relocation. We’ll see if the courts expands that liability to other parties…
12. Rumors began circulating in NFL media a couple days before Monday’s pre-trial hearing that the NFL was considering expanding to 34 teams, creating 2 new franchises, and that STL was the top contender for one of them. This is one hell of a coincidence, as well as rather unlikely. It also follows how certain NFL media back in 2018 threw out the idea of the Chargers relocating to STL to settle this lawsuit right when it was picking up momentum, which Bernie Miklasz subsequently thrashed in an article that, sadly, has a dead link today. Basically, Bernie argued that the League must pay for everything, give ownership to local leadership, admit their bad behavior, and apologize for everything – publicly – to STL, and then maybe, MAYBE, we’d consider it.
13. As Shadrack mentioned, any proof of the team tanking pre-relocation would be so mind-blowingly incredible that I have a hard time thinking about it. If he “Major League”’d us… if he Black Sox’d us… that’s for the FBI and way beyond anything that I can ramble on about, other than this would truly damn the Rams and the League. I'd think anyone connected with the business of organized gambling would be furious, let alone the Justice Department. The team’s Draft history certainly doesn’t help (building a defense when the offense needs help, making a 5’8” WR their top pick, et.al., then drafting a #1 QB once in LA)… Bring on Jeff “7-9” Fisher as a “hostile witness”.
14. There are potentially other NFL suits that can emerge from this entire mess. First, if it’s true that the fix was in the entire time that Inglewood would be built, then there’s potentially another round of fraud suits against the NFL by the Chargers and the Raiders, whose joint proposal for the Carson Stadium project was rejected for the Inglewood Stadium project. That action came after the select Owners Committee on new stadiums sided in favor of the Carson proposal by I believe 6-1 over Inglewood. The Chargers could further an argument that their current domicile in Inglewood, as Stank Kroenke’s tenants, was established by unsavory means, perhaps even leading to an argument that their brand valuation has sharply decreased in direct correlation (no tears for the Spanos family, though). Then, there exists the very real risk that there could be a push for a lawsuit by the City of Atlanta and/or the State of Georgia against the NFL and the Atlanta Hawks, whose new stadium (opened 2017) was funded with public monies through their stadium authority, the Georgia World Congress Center, in December 2014. Now, this use of hundreds of millions in public dollars was partially done with the belief that the threat remained for all teams of relocation to Los Angeles should they not receive public support for new extravagant stadium construction. If the NFL was already committed to the Inglewood proposal beginning in 2013, then the Atlanta funding came without any knowledge of this (the Rams wouldn’t be approved for relocation until 2016). I don’t know how strong their case could be, but it’d be another high profile lawsuit with underlying accusations of fraud in play.
15. The STL case is set to be held in a STL City Courtroom in mid-January 2022, right before the Super Bowl is to be broadcast from – guess where? – Inglewood, CA, about the first week of February 2022.
This really is the case of a lifetime for plaintiffs’ counsel. Godspeed.
Two Questions for any attorneys on this forum...
A. What are the possibilities of criminal fraud charges being filed against Demoff or Grubman? I’ve read something in the last day that this may happen here. Are there statute of limitations considerations, or would those be voided if the evidence for such charges emerge as part of this case’s discovery?
B. I’m trying to get a good understanding of what’s possible for Punitive Damages awards for this case… Would 3x sought damages be reasonable here? That’s my optimistic working estimate. This recognizes that we have a suit on contract law involving fraud and identifiable damages, for which preliminary damages are already estimated at $1.5-2BB; including the relocation fees of 3 teams and lost general revenues; plus the new lost opportunities from the new $100BB media rights package (which I believe could go beyond my guesstimate); leading to 3x punitive damages. Can anyone reasonably provide ballpark and max estimates?
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Fantastic in depth post.
Karraker said on his show the other day that he's worked out a potential payout of around 3.3 billion. That may increase (or decrease) depending on the Rams value at the time of the lawsuit in comparison to their value when they left STL (1.4bn in 2015, 4bn now).
Can we safely assume the summary judgment hearing which is set for August 25th will just go through the motions, shoot it down and take us onto trial?
I'd be stunned if it's anything but financial compensation but given the payouts suggested and the level of public embarrassment several heavy hitters in the NFL are likely to face then virtually anything must be in consideration you would think if it could save their bacon.
Karraker said on his show the other day that he's worked out a potential payout of around 3.3 billion. That may increase (or decrease) depending on the Rams value at the time of the lawsuit in comparison to their value when they left STL (1.4bn in 2015, 4bn now).
Can we safely assume the summary judgment hearing which is set for August 25th will just go through the motions, shoot it down and take us onto trial?
I'd be stunned if it's anything but financial compensation but given the payouts suggested and the level of public embarrassment several heavy hitters in the NFL are likely to face then virtually anything must be in consideration you would think if it could save their bacon.
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That's the thing, I think the plaintiffs want to actually hurt the defendants like they hurt all of us. Yes, there'll be money. Same time, think about how Stank Kroenke trashed STL as he burned his bridge out of town behind him. That, more than anything else, has hurt STL. There's money, and then there's losses in both civic pride and nationwide perception. That made the whole thing personal. I believe the plaintiffs could be reasonably secure about the strength of their case enough that their desire to have trial held actually will happen. Think how much egg would be on the NFL's faces if Kroenke has to appear in a STL court room the same week as the Super Bowl being held in Inglewood! That's shame, and very public shame. Let's remember that civil lawsuits can be settled all the way up to the jury reaching their verdict. The NFL will be doing what they can to "pass the hat" and fundraise for a settlement payoff, and maybe spreading news stories about it all the way up to trial. No mater. I bet we'll see Stank Kroenke physically take the stand this January, along with Roger Goodell, Mike Demoff, Eric Grubman, maybe Jeff Fisher, and maybe Jerry Jones, and a whole host of others. Seriously, there could be stories of private jets going back and forth between STL and LA during Super Bowl Week 2022 as the different execs and owners have to testify... I just got a chill realizing that this is very possible.Suburban Sprawl wrote: ↑Jul 15, 2021I'd be stunned if it's anything but financial compensation but given the payouts suggested and the level of public embarrassment several heavy hitters in the NFL are likely to face then virtually anything must be in consideration you would think if it could save their bacon.
Great insight, very thorough take. You are not an attorney yourself?gone corporate wrote: ↑Jul 15, 2021addxb2 wrote: ↑Jul 13, 2021Can someone send up the bat signal for GoneCorporate? I’d love to know their thoughts… They have a way of making me feel confident.
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Well, I’ve been following this case like a hawk, and this entire NFL drama since word first leaked in January 2014 of Stank Kroenke buying land in Inglewood. I was out of town on vacation when Randy Karraker posted his tweets. I have to say that I was open-jawed amazed at what he wrote, then danced around a bit when I read of the bench order. Seriously, I danced a bit at this…
It remains quite possible that this case will not settle and therefore will continue all the way to trial.
Punitive Damages are absolutely in play.
Quick notes:
1. The attorneys are working on a contingency basis and have fronted all the costs of the suit. No public or tax dollars have been used in any of this suit. Plus, it’s Bob Blitz’s law firm; he was the second half of the STL Task Force, along with Bob Peacock, to keep the Rams in STL. His firm’s been prepping this case with the same work notes they wrote in their efforts to keep the team here. They have incredible independence and autonomy in this suit. Since the beginning, they have stated that they want a judgment in open court, not a settlement. Even as they’re not beholden to the citizenry, public support for a judgment over a settlement is also high.
2. IANAL… Missouri law states that Circuit Judge Christopher McGraugh’s bench order could only have been issued if the courts were presented with “clear and convincing evidence” that the plaintiffs were “intentionally harmed” from fraudulent actions committed by the defendants. Now, I’ve had hopes that the STL attorneys had some strong arguments they could make, but the fact that Judge McGraugh saw enough evidence in a pre-trial hearing to make this order has blown me away at how strong our case really is. Side note: I have a very high personal opinion of Judge McGraugh and his qualifications.
3. The bench order means the financials for the named entities and individuals could be entered into the public record. The NFL has got to be beyond terrified of this. The only anecdotal financials of the NFL come from the Green Bay Packers’ annual financial statements, which are limited in size and scope. What this order will mean is that all financials and net worth assessments must be presented for the League and the Rams, as well as for Stank Kroenke (personally and professionally) and the other named owners, with the potential for other owners to be enjoined into this disclosure with that 10-day filing deadline given Monday. Think about it: some of the richest men/families/private businesses in America will have to provide full accountings of their net worth and financials to a court room, which will then have them available as part of the public record should it go to trial. How scared do you think Jerry Jones is right now? How about the League as it’s on the receiving end of future concussion-related settlements from former players?
4. Financial data is in addition to the already submitted historical phone, text, and email records of the NFL, its franchises, and its franchise owners.
5. Funniest part of this case… Bob Kraft is among the owners named by the court to provide his full financials as a part of this case… Remember a few years ago, when he was accused of attending the wrong type of massage parlor in south Florida, then had to figure a way out of it? Looks like this court order could compel him to provide ALL of that payout info... in addition to the previously submitted phone and text records! How scared do you think HE is right now?!?!?!
6. Roger Goodell admitted in his deposition that the League’s relocation guidelines are mandatory and must be followed. The evidence is admittedly clear that the Rams’ relocation did not follow these relocation guidelines. That’s a hell of a lot of the case just right there.
7. The Rams, LLC recognized loans from the NFL for the construction of the Inglewood stadium more than double the $300MM STL sought (and was chastised for seeking) from the NFL’s G4 loan program. I think they were around $700MM but could be mistaken. Exact financing will be a part of any disclosure.
8. The Big Variable: The NFL entered into a new long-term media rights deal subsequent to construction of the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, and the Rams’ & Chargers' relocation to Inglewood. (and the Raiders to Las Vegas, which is comparably incidental at best). Games will be broadcast on ABC; NBC; CBS; Fox; ESPN; Amazon; the NFL Network; and AT&T/DirecTV. Prior to this new contract, the League’s media rights deal was estimated at around $30BB… Starting in 2023, the new ten-year contract is valued at $100BB, as it now recognizes that 2 teams are now based in the LA metro area.
ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS!!!
These monies will be split among all 32 NFL franchises. They all will be personally enriched with this new media rights deal. This increase in media rights value will absolutely be recognized by the Plaintiffs when considering how the League has increased annuitized revenues triple that from before the LA relocation. It's not just their current net worth; it's their forecasted future annuitized revenue streams that are at play when the plaintiffs are assessing damages against them. If I were a plaintiff’s attorney, I’d absolutely argue for a share of this revenue stream on a go-forward basis as part of any judgment.
9. It’s a big story in STL media but not nationally, despite the fact that these are very, very serious charges against the League and some of its biggest owners. But, it’s not on ESPN or any of the other networks that have business relationships with the NFL for twelve-figures in cash. That’s not a coincidence. It’s not in their financial interests to bite the hand that feeds them.
10. How was the NFL so stupid as to let this happen? Simple: They never thought the case would get out of arbitration. That’s what Stank Kroenke promised them. That's why he assumed so much potential liability. That’s why he fought for this to be appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court, which denied them cert. (And remember, it was the appeal to the MO Court of Appeals which enjoined all the other NFL franchises and their ownership into the suit). They never thought this would happen. I credit hubris and a lack of foresight.
11. It is generally believed that Stank Kroneke & Kroenke Sports Enterprises assumed all costs associated to any and all legal actions that resulted from the Rams’ relocation from STL to Inglewood, that this was a precondition to the vote to relocation. We’ll see if the courts expands that liability to other parties…
12. Rumors began circulating in NFL media a couple days before Monday’s pre-trial hearing that the NFL was considering expanding to 34 teams, creating 2 new franchises, and that STL was the top contender for one of them. This is one hell of a coincidence, as well as rather unlikely. It also follows how certain NFL media back in 2018 threw out the idea of the Chargers relocating to STL to settle this lawsuit right when it was picking up momentum, which Bernie Miklasz subsequently thrashed in an article that, sadly, has a dead link today. Basically, Bernie argued that the League must pay for everything, give ownership to local leadership, admit their bad behavior, and apologize for everything – publicly – to STL, and then maybe, MAYBE, we’d consider it.
13. As Shadrack mentioned, any proof of the team tanking pre-relocation would be so mind-blowingly incredible that I have a hard time thinking about it. If he “Major League”’d us… if he Black Sox’d us… that’s for the FBI and way beyond anything that I can ramble on about, other than this would truly damn the Rams and the League. I'd think anyone connected with the business of organized gambling would be furious, let alone the Justice Department. The team’s Draft history certainly doesn’t help (building a defense when the offense needs help, making a 5’8” WR their top pick, et.al., then drafting a #1 QB once in LA)… Bring on Jeff “7-9” Fisher as a “hostile witness”.
14. There are potentially other NFL suits that can emerge from this entire mess. First, if it’s true that the fix was in the entire time that Inglewood would be built, then there’s potentially another round of fraud suits against the NFL by the Chargers and the Raiders, whose joint proposal for the Carson Stadium project was rejected for the Inglewood Stadium project. That action came after the select Owners Committee on new stadiums sided in favor of the Carson proposal by I believe 6-1 over Inglewood. The Chargers could further an argument that their current domicile in Inglewood, as Stank Kroenke’s tenants, was established by unsavory means, perhaps even leading to an argument that their brand valuation has sharply decreased in direct correlation (no tears for the Spanos family, though). Then, there exists the very real risk that there could be a push for a lawsuit by the City of Atlanta and/or the State of Georgia against the NFL and the Atlanta Hawks, whose new stadium (opened 2017) was funded with public monies through their stadium authority, the Georgia World Congress Center, in December 2014. Now, this use of hundreds of millions in public dollars was partially done with the belief that the threat remained for all teams of relocation to Los Angeles should they not receive public support for new extravagant stadium construction. If the NFL was already committed to the Inglewood proposal beginning in 2013, then the Atlanta funding came without any knowledge of this (the Rams wouldn’t be approved for relocation until 2016). I don’t know how strong their case could be, but it’d be another high profile lawsuit with underlying accusations of fraud in play.
15. The STL case is set to be held in a STL City Courtroom in mid-January 2022, right before the Super Bowl is to be broadcast from – guess where? – Inglewood, CA, about the first week of February 2022.
This really is the case of a lifetime for plaintiffs’ counsel. Godspeed.
Two Questions for any attorneys on this forum...
A. What are the possibilities of criminal fraud charges being filed against Demoff or Grubman? I’ve read something in the last day that this may happen here. Are there statute of limitations considerations, or would those be voided if the evidence for such charges emerge as part of this case’s discovery?
B. I’m trying to get a good understanding of what’s possible for Punitive Damages awards for this case… Would 3x sought damages be reasonable here? That’s my optimistic working estimate. This recognizes that we have a suit on contract law involving fraud and identifiable damages, for which preliminary damages are already estimated at $1.5-2BB; including the relocation fees of 3 teams and lost general revenues; plus the new lost opportunities from the new $100BB media rights package (which I believe could go beyond my guesstimate); leading to 3x punitive damages. Can anyone reasonably provide ballpark and max estimates?
