Orange County Group, Rams Share Concerns
Leaders of the Task Forces to Keep the Rams in Orange County got a better idea of what it will take to prevent the NFL team from leaving Anaheim during a meeting Friday with Ram Executive Vice President John Shaw.
“The Rams weren’t specific in saying that if the county was able put a certain package together it would keep them here,” said sports agent Leigh Steinberg, who is heading the group. “But it basically comes down to a new or refurbished stadium, better luxury boxes, better attendance and a new lease.”
Steinberg and former Disneyland President Jack Lindquist met with Shaw for about an hour and a half at the Rams’ Los Angeles offices. Shaw termed the first meeting “preliminary” but declined to discuss specifics.
The task force, which has been meeting once a week in Anaheim, has broken up into subcommittees to explore different aspects of the situation and hopes to have a proposal for the Rams within two months.
Steinberg said the proposal would likely include a major renovation of Anaheim Stadium, including the luxury suites, or a new stadium at the same site; a transformation of the stadium area into an entertainment/shopping district; a commitment from the business community to invest in luxury suites and buy season tickets, a new lease, and an investment group that would purchase a minority interest in the team.
The Rams are being heavily courted by Baltimore, St. Louis and Hartford, Conn., cities offering new stadiums built with public funds and lucrative lease terms, and that have sent representatives to Los Angeles to meet with Shaw.
“(Shaw) was open to what we had to say, but the ball’s in our court,” Steinberg said. “Can we in Orange County put a competitive bid together to keep the Rams?
“He made it clear that they were moving along in discussions with other cities, but I made it clear to him that Orange County was the best place for the Rams. I’m optimistic that if we can put the right package together we can keep the team here.”
