Mayor: Rams’ Intent Isn’t for Leverage : NFL: Anaheim’s Tom Daly says talk of possible move could be perceived as an effort to improve team’s stadium lease.

Reacting to comments made by Ram owner Georgia Frontiere, Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly said Friday he thinks the team isn’t considering a move solely to gain leverage for a better stadium deal with the city.

In a story in Friday’s Times, Frontiere said she has no interest in selling the team but is exploring the option of moving it.

“I believe her when Georgia says that they’re not considering the move just to gain leverage,” Daly said. “However, every few years the Rams have asked for adjustments in their stadium lease, and some people may view this as a part of their ongoing effort to improve their financial condition.”

The Rams could leave Anaheim Stadium before their lease expires in 2015 by providing 15 months’ notice and paying a multimillion-dollar settlement. The team has hired law firms to study the legalities of franchise movement and has been contacted by ownership groups in Baltimore, St. Louis and Memphis, which recently failed in bids for expansion teams.

Although the Rams haven’t asked for any changes in the stadium lease, the ownership group in Baltimore could offer a far more lucrative deal.

Daly said he doesn’t anticipate the Rams giving notice that they are leaving “anytime soon.”

“That would be a disappointment to the people who worked so hard to bring the Rams to Orange County 15 years ago,” he said. “But I have confidence in the Orange County market and I believe the Rams do too.

“We will work hard to keep the Rams in Orange County. But there is a limit to what a medium-sized city such as Anaheim can do.”

If the Rams decide to move, they would probably have to file suit against the NFL to ensure their freedom to do so. Frontiere hinted in the interview that she would not be willing to take on the league in the courts.

“That was one of the more interesting aspects of the piece this morning,” Daly said. “I did notice that.”

Herbert J. Belgrad, chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, declined to comment on talks he has had with Rams officials but said he has not spoken to Frontiere.

“If the Rams make a firm decision that they’re leaving Los Angeles, we’re prepared to talk with them further,” Belgrad said. “It would be premature to talk about it before then because our position remains unchanged.

“We’re not going to be party to inducing a team to leave another city. We’re prepared to sit down and negotiate in good faith with any franchise that’s firmly committed to moving, but only if we’re not used for leverage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.