Those hoping to keep the Rams in St. Louis should not count on any help from Democratic Governor Jay Nixon or the Republican-led Missouri Senate.
When asked by reporters Monday about efforts to build a new stadium for the Rams, Governor Nixon said that the state is still paying half the cost of the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis.
“I don’t have a new stadium in this year’s budget, nor do I have any ongoing discussions on how to do that," Nixon said.
Also, Republican leaders in the Missouri Senate are adamant that state funding will not be used to help build a new stadium for the St. Louis Rams, even if the NFL were to help cover some of the costs.
“I’m telling you that I am not going to support public funding for a football stadium," said Tom Dempsey, Missouri President Pro-tem (R, St. Charles). "I think everything, what I have heard and what I have read, is that no one is surprised about any decision that has taken place, up to and including the arbitrators' ruling, and that this is all a part of a negotiation.”
Arbitrators last week ruled in favor of the Rams’ plans to renovate the Edward Jones Dome, which would cost at least $700 million. Plans backed by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission would only spend about $124 million on renovations. If the CVC does not agree with the Rams’ proposal the franchise would be free to break their lease after the 2014 season and possibly move to another city.