Gerald Ford Joins Rams Buyout Group

[Ponymon]

Checketts solidifies Rams bid

Sports Columnist Bernie Miklasz

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/31/2010

As Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch reported recently, the sale of the Rams has been narrowed down to a list of three potential buyers.

And that hasn't changed, according to multiple sources close to Rams managing ownership partner Chip Rosenbloom.

Rosenbloom would like to make a decision within a month or two. Rosebloom and his sister, Lucia Rodriguez, prefer to sell their combined 60 percent share but could opt to hang on to the franchise rather than settle for an unsatisfactory offer.

One of the three potential buyers is a group of investors organized by St. Louis Blues Chairman Dave Checketts.

Multiple sources tell me that another group has strong ties to Toronto, which should concern those who want to see the Rams remain in St. Louis.

As for the third potential buyer ... candidly, I've been unable to nail down that part. But I know it isn't anyone from St. Louis. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the bidder is based in Chicago.

I hope that Checketts prevails in this auction, or the Rams could be in play for a move after the 2014 season.

Checketts is our best hope to secure a long-term future for the Rams in St. Louis.

Or to put it another way: Checketts IS the St. Louis offer.

I trust Checketts to work with area politicians and business and community leaders to solve the looming stadium problem. MORE BERNIE
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Checketts has made good progress in his Rams efforts. According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, Checketts has partnered with a formidable money man in Texas billionaire Gerald J. Ford, who was ranked No. 289 on the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans last fall. Forbes estimated Ford's worth at $1.35 billion.

Ford, 65, made his fortune by buying and selling banks. He's friends with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, Ford donated $20 million to SMU in 1997 to help the school build a new football stadium on campus. Indeed, Gerald J. Ford Stadium opened in 2000.

This is a significant development. For the Checketts bid to comply with NFL ownership rules, one member of his group must control a 30 percent share of the franchise. And multiple sources tell me that Ford is locked in as the 30 percent owner. Ford doesn't want to run the franchise on a daily basis and would leave that to Checketts.

Ford's addition (at 30 percent) is only part of the equation.

To cover another 30 percent (including his own percentage) Checketts has been busy lining up additional investors from the St. Louis community.

The list includes prominent and recognizable names. The investors aren't yet willing to come forward to publicly confirm their alliance with Checketts and Ford, but multiple sources insist the "A List" names are firmly on board.

If the goal is to protect the Rams for St. Louis, then this is the group to get it done.

Checketts has been a positive, fan-friendly owner for the Blues. He's rejuvenated the hockey franchise. Checketts also has displayed an ability to navigate his way through various factions in St. Louis to get things done — as evidenced by his mission to restore Kiel Opera House.

According to the Rams' lease, the Edward Jones Dome must rate among the top 25 percent of NFL stadiums by 2015 or the team can opt out. And it's virtually impossible to get the Edward Jones Dome to meet those top-tier specifications.

That's why it's imperative for the Rams to be led by someone willing to stay here and make a sincere effort to find solutions.

Checketts is that individual. He's the only sure thing. And that's especially true now that he's lined up the financial support of prominent St. Louisans.

Yes, the other two groups have told Rosenbloom they want to keep the team in St. Louis. But we can toss that aside for obvious reasons: What else would they say? A person who wants to relocate the Rams will keep those intentions secret. A buyer wouldn't alienate Rosenbloom, who wants to sell the Rams to a pro-St. Louis owner. And the NFL wouldn't approve a sale to an owner who declares — in advance — that he's pulling the Rams out of St. Louis.

Stan Kroenke, who owns 40 percent of the Rams, is an important figure in this transaction. Because Kroenke owns NBA and NHL franchises in Denver, he's prohibited from becoming the Rams' lead owner because of NFL rules prohibiting cross ownership.

Will Kroenke keep his 40 percent? Silent Stan isn't saying whether he's in or out. This is crucial, because the Checketts alliance has lined up the money to bid for the 60 percent controlled by Rosenbloom and Rodriguez. The Checketts group isn't prepared to go all in for 100 percent and needs Kroenke to stay in at 40 percent.

Why would Kroenke want to sell? I've talked to him enough in the past to know how much he enjoys being part of the NFL. Yes, Kroenke is trying to purchase the Arsenal soccer club of the English Premier League. But with an estimated worth of $2.7 billion (and that's conservative), Kroenke doesn't have to cash out his Rams piece to fund his Arsenal bid.

Kroenke is a native son of Missouri and has business interests across the state. Without Kroenke's involvement, the Rams wouldn't have moved here in 1995. And Kroenke can help save the franchise for St. Louis. I have a difficult time believing Kroenke would bail out and leave the franchise vulnerable to a hostile takeover and subsequent move. I don't think Kroenke wants to be pegged as a villain.

And I believe Rosenbloom and Rodriguez will do the right thing for St. Louis. Chip and Lucia have frequently expressed their gratitude for the way St. Louis treated their late mother, Georgia Frontiere.

Of course, we can't expect Rosenbloom-Rodriguez to sell to Checketts if Checketts has submitted a low-ball offer. But multiple sources with knowledge of the situation insist Checketts has made a legitimate offer.

Can Checketts close the deal? We'll know soon enough. But if Checketts loses out, I don't want to think about the potential repercussions.

[westexSMU]

Hope Mr. Ford gets the franchise and if he does, I hope he doesn't want JJ to Coach them.

[SoCal_Pony]

3 NFL franchises within 250 miles of each other all owned by SMU alumni...pretty cool

[Dooby]

If this goes through, we need an SMU alumni magazine with Hunt, Ford and Irsay on the cover. THe headline can be NFL Owner U. Send copies to every potential recruit.

[smusic 00]

I've always thought Dallas should have two NFL teams.

[Mestengo]

I saw him at the Memphis game at the end of my row, I guess I won't be getting those ile seats...

[The PonyGrad]

Confusing, Ford Joins Rams... I thought Rams were Dodges.

[gostangs]

Maybe he'll move them to Dallas and do the stadium where it should have gone?

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Maybe he'll move them to Dallas and do the stadium where it should have gone?

I'm sure the NFL would be all for it.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Apparently, a group led by Shahid Khan has made a deal to buy the team. I can see it now...everyone in the stadium yelling, "Khhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"




http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4904863