Represenatives from the National Football League (L to R) Chris Hardart, Eric Grubman, Cynthia Hogan and
Jay Bauman listen and discuss the St. Louis Rams possible move to Los Angeles during a town hall meeting at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis on October 27, 2015. The Rams owner Stan Kronke has hinted that he wants to move the team to Los Angeles. Town hall meetings are also scheduled for Oakland and San Diego. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
About 1,500 Rams fans packed into a St. Louis venue Tuesday night to make their case for the team staying in Missouri. Some fans shouted, some cried. NFL officials said it’s obvious that the Rams have a great fan base, and one with passion.
One fan, Jack Carey, said fans would be devastated if the team relocates. NFL Executive Vice President Eric Grubman said it’s a business decision and it’s up to NFL team owners if they’ll support the move.
“The St. Louis Rams are the St. Louis Rams, until they’re not. That’s our job, to do our best to keep them here and keep them healthy,” said Grubman. Everybody has to do their part. We have a part and we’re doing that.”
Another fan, Kevin Kelly, said moving the Rams out of Missouri doesn’t make sense.
“Do you feel if a team has three winning seasons in 23 and is in Los Angeles, do you think anybody would show up for those games? Anybody? It would be an embarrassment for the NFL,” said Kelly.
Grubman said the owners are considering the big picture.
“It’s their job to assess and vote the way they think they should on how the team is going to perform in that market over the next 20 to 30 years,” said Grubman.
Owners of the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders also want to relocate their teams to Los Angeles. At least 24 of the 32 owners in the NFL would have to vote for a move before it could happen.