The Los Angeles Rams yesterday strongly denied a report in a St. Louis newspaper saying a deal has been struck to move the team there, although people familiar with the negotiations have acknowledged that St. Louis appears to have the edge.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Columbia, Mo.,-based developer Stan Kroenke had reached agreement to buy 40 percent of the franchise with the right of first refusal if majority owner Georgia Frontiere decides to sell.
The newspaper said several hurdles remained to be cleared before the franchise could move to St. Louis, including successful negotiations between the Rams and Fans Inc., the public organization that controls the stadium lease, final approval by Frontiere, and NFL approval.
However, team president John Shaw said yesterday, "There is absolutely no truth to the report."
"No deal has been reached, nothing is imminent, we continue to negotiate. No deal to sell off any part of the team has been reached," Shaw said in a statement read by a team spokeswoman.
Orioles controlling partner Peter Angelos said yesterday that he is in regular contact with the Rams and has not been notified of a deal with St. Louis. Angelos is bidding to buy the team and move it to Baltimore.
Al Kerth, a spokesman for Fans Inc., told the Los Angeles Times yesterday that the reported deal was "news to me."
Shaw has previously acknowledged several aspects of the St. Louis bid that are superior to what Baltimore is offering, including a stadium that is nearing completion and minority investors willing to allow Frontiere to control the team.
However, sources familiar with the negotiations say there have been some sticking points, including demands by the team that a significant number of season tickets be guaranteed forever, but that an agreement still is likely by the first or second week of December.