Save the Rams Still Awaiting a ‘Wish List’

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg, one of the leaders of Save the Rams, was frustrated Monday after a meeting with Ram officials didn’t produce the serious response the group is seeking for its proposal to keep the team in Orange County.

After a lengthy meeting with Ram President John Shaw, Steinberg said the Orange County group did not receive a “wish list” from the Rams, similar to the one the team had sent to St. Louis officials who are trying to bring an NFL team there.

“That aspect was pretty frustrating and that was a point we made today,” Steinberg said. “It was difficult to continue constructing offers unless we understood what it ultimately takes to keep the Rams here.”

Wayne Wedin, chairman of the Orange County Economic Development Consortium and a member of Save the Rams, also attended the meeting. He also believes it’s imperative the Orange County group and the Rams are on the same page.

“There was a request for clarification and elaboration from both parties and a willingness by both parties to respond to that,” Wedin said. “John (Shaw) wanted to make sure that he thoroughly understands our proposal and we want to make sure that we understand thoroughly the areas of interest to him.

“When you look at numbers, it could mean one thing to me and something else to you. It’s not that either of us are mean-spirited, it’s just that people look at numbers differently. And it’s to both parties’ advantage to make sure there is total understanding.”

Besides proposing $60 million to $70 million in renovations to Anaheim Stadium, the Orange County group will guarantee sales of 45,000 season tickets and 138 luxury boxes in the stadium if the team agrees to a new lease.

Are the economic proposals by Save the Rams enough to keep the team?

“We continue to ask what it takes,” Steinberg said, “but we’ve got no response.”

Said Wedin: “I feel positive. That does not imply that John has made a commitment, because he hasn’t. But the tone of the meeting was very constructive.”

The Save the Rams proposal isn’t expected to be able to compete with offers from St. Louis or the other cities trying to get the Rams, Baltimore and Hartford.

Shaw is expected to meet on Wednesday with members of FANS Inc., the group trying to get the team to St. Louis. The St. Louis group is expected to make a formal proposal, including commitments from groups interested in 86 of the 100 luxury boxes at the city’s domed stadium currently under construction.

Baltimore Oriole majority owner Peter Angelos, who has met with Shaw regarding the city’s interest in the Rams, said last week he is looking for a “yes or no” answer from the team very soon.

“Orange County has stepped forward and made a very attractive offer,” Steinberg said. “I also made the point (in the meeting) that it’s not in the best interest of the NFL or the current Rams management . . . that when franchises move from place to place that it destroys the fan base.

“And we made the point that we don’t expect to be on a level playing field in terms of other cities’ offers. But the Rams have been here for 50 years, and that ought to count for something.”

But can the Save the Rams’ offer compete with the other cities from a financial standpoint?

“We’re bidding against ourselves,” Steinberg said. “We truly don’t know what the offers are from Baltimore, St. Louis or Hartford. We have our suspicions and ideas, but I’m not positive what they are.”

Baltimore and St. Louis are entering the serious stages of discussions, and would like to know of the Rams’ intentions by Nov. 1, when owners discuss realigning divisions at the league meetings in Chicago. But after Monday’s meeting, Steinberg said the Rams “convinced me they’re moving in a slow, deliberate process.”

“Obviously there are outside pressures,” Steinberg said. “But they appear to be moving slowly, and from our standpoint, that’s good. The more time goes on, the more support solidifies here and we can flush out more aspects of our plan.”

Steinberg said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s proposed stadium for the Rams and Raiders also was discussed with Shaw. Steinberg said Save the Rams will seek the help of the commissioner’s office to keep the team in Southern California.

Steinberg said he plans to meet with Shaw again within a week, and has again requested a meeting with Ram owner Georgia Frontiere.

Times staff writer John Weyler contributed to this story.