Issues and Answers
What does the owners’ vote mean?
The vote by the owners merely sets the stage for further negotiations. If the Rams accept the league’s demands, the move would probably be approved in the next few weeks. If they refuse to meet the demands, the Rams will take legal action but remain in Los Angeles for the 1995 season.
* What’s next?
The league is waiting for a call from the Rams in hopes that they will agree to reopen negotiations. Through conference calls and faxes an outcome can be reached within days. The next league meetings are in Jacksonville, Fla., in May, but officials agree the Ram situation must be settled by then.
* Can the Rams play in Anaheim next season?
If the Rams return to Anaheim Stadium, they would have to forfeit a $2-million deposit made when they gave prior notice of terminating their lease there. But they can stay by renewing their old lease, which runs through 2004.
* What are the chances the Rams, like the Raiders when they moved to Los Angeles from Oakland, will be successful in their legal action?
Both Ram President John Shaw and St. Louis officials believe they have an excellent chance of not only winning approval for the move, but of also gaining a financial settlement that could reach $150 million.
* How does this affect the Raiders?
It’s difficult to say considering the unpredictability of owner Al Davis. On Wednesday, speculation was so rampant that there was talk of the Rams playing in the Coliseum and the Raiders playing in Anaheim. The two teams could even share the same facility.
* Why did the league turn the move down?
Money, more money and TV. It also became apparent that Fox, which paid a record $1.58 billion for rights to broadcast the games, wants an NFC team in Los Angeles. The Rams, however, accused the NFL of encouraging the network to make the demand.
* Would owner Georgia Frontiere consider selling the team?
“Never,” she said Wednesday.
