Rams Face Eviction From Practice Site : NFL: Shaw says team has looked at other facilities in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

The Rams have chosen to risk being evicted from their practice facility at month’s end rather than accept a long-term lease to remain at Rams Park.

John Shaw, Ram executive vice president, said the Magnolia School District--through the city of Anaheim--notified the Rams recently that it had rejected the team’s offer to double the rent for a two-year extension at Rams Park, the old Juliette Low Middle School.

“I’d be frankly surprised if the school board tried to evict us,” Shaw said. “But yes, there is a possibility of eviction.

“We have looked at some other sites in Orange County and in Los Angeles County, and if we have to, we will move to one of those sites.

“The lease expires Dec. 31 and that’s where it leaves us,” Shaw said.

There has been speculation that the Rams rejected the Magnolia School District’s earlier offer to extend the practice facility lease 15 years to position the team for a possible move to Baltimore.

The Rams’ lease with the city of Anaheim for the use of Anaheim Stadium expires in 2015, but an escape clause in the lease allows the Rams to leave, provided they give 15 months’ notice and pay off the remaining $30 million owed on bonds issued to expand the stadium for the Rams when they moved here before the 1980 season.

Shaw declined comment when asked if the team is about to give such notice.

The Anaheim City Council has scheduled a discussion tonight regarding reports that the Rams are considering moving.

Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly said earlier, “I want the (council) to get all the facts about the current (stadium) agreement. The Rams are not denying they are getting offers from other cities.”

The council has asked its staff to prepare a report on negotiations with the Rams and what the chances are that they will exercise an escape clause to leave Anaheim.

Shaw said no Anaheim city officials have contacted him about tonight’s meeting.

Shaw said Monday the team has had no contact with Baltimore officials about moving there, but it’s known the Rams have hired a Baltimore-area law firm to investigate the legalities of moving a team within a short distance of the Washington Redskins.

Shaw had said earlier, “We are exploring the economic viability of a long-term commitment to staying in Anaheim Stadium. Presently, it’s inconclusive.”

The Rams have offered to pay the Magnolia School District $240,000 a year for the next two years to remain at Rams Park. Even if the team elects to give notice and leave Anaheim Stadium in time for the 1995 season, it will require a local practice facility for 1994.

“I would think the school board has a need for the nearly quarter of a million dollars we are willing to pay for rent each year,” Shaw said. “It’s a fair sum of money for educational needs, and it’s my understanding the school district has no immediate needs for the facility.”

The Rams, who were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs over the weekend, are scheduled to conduct their final practice at Rams Park this season on Jan. 1--a day after their lease expires.

The facility also is used throughout the year by the coaching staff and administrators, and provides off-season workout space for free-agent players who are courted by the Rams.

Shaw said he has no plans for further discussions with the city or the school district.

“The facility is inadequate for our long-term needs,” Shaw said. “And they have rejected our two-year offer. That’s the best arrangement we could come up with, so I don’t know where that leaves us.”