NFL’s Rams hope Missouri rule 51.04 will move case against St. Louis
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Aaron Donald (99) of the Rams at an NFL match between the Detroit Lions & the Los Angeles Rams, October 24, 2021, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
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As the National Football League prepares for the challenge against St. Louis, 4-year-old lawsuitIt’s betting on a Missouri ruling to push the case to another state.
St. Louis officials are asking for financial damages after the NFL’s Rams moved to Los Angeles in 2016. The team left St. Louis with debts from the demolition of The Dome at America’s Center. This stadium was funded with public funds. According to the 2017 suit, the NFL is accused of having violated its relocation policy. Officials claimed they misled the general public about Rams’ plans. They also said that there were no good-faith negotiations.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Rams, has been trying to get the case moved away from the St. Louis area. According to the company, Rule 51.04Pretrial publicity can be used to favoritism and allow a trial moveable. A case may be moved if the parties involved in it present evidence of prejudice or undue influence by the other party.
A Missouri appellate court has been fully briefed. According to those familiar with this matter (who requested anonymity because of the nature of the matter), it could make a decision on a venue change by the end of this week. A St. Louis judge initially refused to grant the request for a change of venue in August.
Sports business executives closely monitor the NFL case in St. Louis. Local governments could use the suit as a template to obtain compensation if a pro-sports team makes a move.
According to the suit, St. Louis has lost $1.85million and $3.5million per year in amusement tax collection, $7.5 million in tax on property, and $1.4million in sales tax. This amounts to more than $100,000,000 in revenue lost.
This battle pits the Rams and the place they called home for over 20 years. It has also caused tension between Stan Kroenke, Rams owner, and other NFL owners. According to ESPNKroenke, who was trying to pay off his legal bill in connection with the case last week, angered others team owners.
Exterior view of The Dome At America’s Center before the St. Louis Rams victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, 29-24.
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A judge in St. Louis issued an approximately $44,000 fine last month to four NFL owners who failed to submit financial records. The NFL owners must submit their documents by Dec. 3, or they will face contempt of court proceedings. Bloomberg
The plaintiff — the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority — seeks damages as well as a piece of the increased valuation associated with the Rams’ move to LA, according to suit. This sum exceeds $1 billion.
CNBC’s Irwin Kishner said that the city had lost a valued member and was “pissed” last month. Kishner is a Herrick Feinstein sports lawyer. It’s an area that wants its share of the pie.”
However, there is no assurance that the matter will settle soon. The city of St. Louis might appeal if the relocation request is approved.
This is not the only instance of Rams’ westward move.
The team settled a $24 million class action lawsuit after fans sued to refill personal seat licenses. This one-time fee gives season ticket buyers the ability to buy tickets. The fees are used by the NFL to pay for stadium construction and financing.
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