As Rams owners Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez continue to assess the offers they have received for the 60-percent share of the team they inherited from their mother, the late Georgia Frontiere, Howard Balzer of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reports that a decision could be made by March 5, the start of the 2010 league year.
And the leading offer, according to Balzer, entails only a short-term commitment to keep the team in St. Louis. The Rams’ lease at the Edward Jones Dome contains a provision that allows the team to leave if the stadium is not within the top 25 percent of the league’s venues by March 2015. Presumably, the new owner would be permitted to move the team if the improvements are not made prior to the deadline.
Per Balzer, the leading offer also covers the 40-percent stake held by Stan Kroenke, and the bidder is prepared to pay $725 million in cash for the team.
KTRS radio in St. Louis reports (via Balzer) that the bid currently under consideration did not come from the group led by Dave Checketts, owner of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues.
Prior reports have indicated that three bids were submitted, and that Rosenbloom and Rodriguez ultimately could decide to keep the team.