By the time you read this the NFL might have approved relocation of the St. Louis Rams to Inglewood, California. Multi-billionaire owner Stan Kroenke could have gotten his way after letting the region – in particularly the city of St. Louis – what he thinks of them.
The lesson that again is being painfully learned for this region is to stop being reactive and start being more proactive. Heads were buried in the sand while Kroenke had his mind on L.A.
This following was published on April 16, 2010 at Globe-Democrat.com: “Whichever of the K-men (Shahid Khan or Stan Kroenke) end up owning the Rams, there will be an ultimatum: either build a new stadium or kiss the team goodbye.”
The column discussed the unrealistic goal of keeping the Edward Jones Dome as a “top-tier” stadium and possible relocation sites, namely Los Angeles.
I was the author, and I’m far from clairvoyant. I realized six years ago that the region needed to get serious about keeping the Rams in St. Louis. Few people listened. I got labeled a “Chicken Little,” and my on-air colleagues at 101 ESPN never took me or – more importantly – the situation seriously.
The overwhelming majority of political and civic leaders ignored Kroenke’s silence after buying the team, which to me sounded like a rattlesnake tail.
Instead of seeking negotiation, the city and CVC immediately rejected the Rams’ $750 million Jones Dome upgrade proposal, calling it unrealistic.
When the Rams won in arbitration, as expected, there was more tough talk directed at Kroenke and the franchise.
Our leading sports columnist and commentators told us it was not a big deal when Kroenke purchased the Inglewood property in January 2014. We were reminded that he was a real estate magnate and that it was nothing more than a real estate deal.
Then came the announcement in January 2015 that Kroenke planned on building a $2 billion stadium and entertainment district.
Finally, there was some action. Knee-jerk, out-of-control and too-late action.
That was fall of 2014 and the new stadium plan was announced a few months later. Voters were bypassed, St. Louis County somehow weaseled out of paying for any of it and Gov. Jay Nixon promised state dollars without a vote of its people or legislators.
Had St. Louis been serious six years ago, I doubt we’d be about to lose the franchise.
By the way, should Kroenke not be granted his right to relocate it would be impossible for the team to remain here. There was method in the madness of his ripping the region in such a scorched earth way.
My, Oh, my
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Korean reliever Seung-Hwan Oh. The right-hander is 33, had 41 saves last year and 357 during his career. I guess you have to applaud the diversity-challenged Cardinals for going the international route to land Oh.
It is perplexing, though, that the team has such trouble finding and keeping a black player on the 25-man roster.
Upton still available
The Cardinals still need more offense regardless of what you hear from the front office.
Outfielder Justin Upton is searching for a long-term deal in the neighborhood of six years for $120. That’s less than what the Redbirds reportedly offered Jayson Heyward, who left for Chicago and the Cubs’ eight-year $184 million deal.
Upton hit .251 with 26 home runs, 81 RBI and 19 stolen bases with the San Diego Padres and could certainly help the Cardinals if they choose to pursue him.
Not much love in Tampa
Lovie Smith, the Rams defensive coordinator during the team’s St. Louis hey-day, surprisingly found himself out of a job last week when the Tampa Bay Bucs fired him.
Bucs’ GM Jason Licht said it was one of the toughest decisions of his career but that he and fans had been patient enough. Really? While his two-year record in Tampa was 10-24, he took the team from 2-12 to 6-10. You get fired for winning three times as many games as you did the year before.
The NFL has one less black head coach, and as of Monday zero had been hired to fill current openings.
Moving on without Marvin
The Cincinnati Bengals were saying Monday that another black head coach will not be relieved of his duties. Reports were that head coach Marvin Lewis will not be fired after his team’s latest playoff meltdown. The Pittsburgh Steelers, led by black coach Mike Tomlin, prevailed 18-16 in a Wild Card showdown, after two personal fouls (right or wrong) put them in field goal position.
The loss dropped Lewis to 0-7 in the playoffs. Jeff Fisher is 0-0 as Rams’ coach in the postseason. I know which coach I’ rather have in charge of my team.
Alvin A. Reid is a panelist on KETC channel 9’s most-popular show “Donnybrook,” and is also a radio commentator and author.
