It was believed at one point during the 2014 regular season that the NFL would move the opening of the window for relocation applications from January 1 to February 2 in order to prevent talk of a move to Los Angeles from undermining the focus on the postseason. That became irrelevant once it became clear no one would be moving to L.A. in 2015.
And now, of course, the focus on the postseason has been undermined by talk of a move to Los Angeles.
News of Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s plan to build a new stadium on all that land he has been buying wasn’t leaked. It was announced.
Yes, the man known as “Silent Stan” has broken his silent by dropping a bombshell on St. Louis and Los Angeles. Unless Kroenke plans to own the stadium but not the team(s) that play in it, Kroenke will be trying to move the Rams to L.A.
It’s a gutsy move, since it’s not clear that the Rams will be able to satisfy the requirements of the league’s relocation policy. But Silent Stan surely wouldn’t be silent no more if he didn’t know that he’ll have the support of the league office and the votes needed to get clearance to move come 2016. Then there’s the fact that 2014 has become 2015 and St. Louis has not made a viable offer for a new stadium, despite indications in October and November that a proposal would be coming soon.
Then again, there’s a chance that Kroenke abruptly has opted to go all in after sitting quietly at the table with a giant stack of chips, announcing the plans to build a new stadium without a wink-nod understanding with the league or any other advance notice. If so, Kroenke’s announcement could trigger more than a little drama among the league office and owners.
Regardless of whether folks did or didn’t know of Kroenke’s looming maneuver, the Chargers surely won’t be happy about news of an impending return by the Rams to L.A. Unless, of course, the Chargers plan to announce soon that, if San Diego doesn’t make a move quickly to build a new stadium, the Chargers will be sharing the building with the Rams.
Which, of course, would leave the Raiders out in the cold. Or in San Antonio.