• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

NFL Owners ‘Surprised’ By $232.5M in Rams Settlement Charges

Rams
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL agreed to pay $790 million in November to end a legal dispute over the Rams’ relocation from St. Louis to Los Angeles back in 2016. 

The amount is the most the NFL has ever paid to settle litigation, and details about where the money came from are now starting to emerge.

Filed in 2017 by St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority, the lawsuit alleged the league broke its own relocation rules when the Rams moved. 

Rams owner Stan Kroenke agreed to indemnify the league before other NFL owners approved the team’s move in 2016, but wavered on his promises shortly before the trial started on Jan. 10, 2022. Kroenke previously attempted to settle the suit for $100 million.

Instead, the NFL settled and Kroenke’s counterparts paid a portion of it. The league has reportedly taken $7.5 million from the other 31 teams — totaling $232.5 million — a “surprise” to the owners, who are left with questions about their budgets. The Athletic reported that the rest likely came from the NFL’s financial reserves.

  • The owners reportedly still don’t know if the money will be returned from the league.
  • Kroenke continues to resist pressure to pay the sum, arguing that legal costs and settlement payments are different.

Owners Divided

New York Giants owner John Mara said last year that if Kroenke hadn’t agreed to indemnify it, owners wouldn’t have voted in favor of the move. Other owners, including the Dallas Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, advocated for the Rams’ move.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Saints Fire Dennis Allen: NFL’s Coaching Carousel Spins Early

The now-former Saints coach was in the third season of a four-year contract.
Tom Brady

Tom Brady Won’t Be Punished for Criticizing Packers-Lions Ejection

The “Brady Rules” faced their biggest test so far after Sunday’s broadcast.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Adam Schefter

Adam Schefter Uses Same Pirated NFL Clips As Everyone Else

ESPN’s NFL insider posted a video from an illegal stream Thursday night.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Surprising Start to MLB’s Offseason

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Donald Trump holding a basketball in the White House
October 30, 2024

Mavericks Owner’s $100 Million Trump Donation Dwarfs All Other Sports Owner Political Giving

Dr. Miriam Adelson is one of the most powerful donors in U.S. politics.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
May 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves minority owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez look on in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

A-Rod, Lore Deposit $940M As Wolves Ownership Hearing Nears

Rodriguez and Lore made a large escrow deposit in advance of a key upcoming arbitration hearing.
Feb 13, 2023; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Disney CEO Bob Iger arrives at the 95th Oscars nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023.
October 21, 2024

Bob Iger’s Successor Won’t Be Named Until 2026

Iger’s current contract expires at the end of 2026.
October 22, 2024

Dude Perfect CEO’s Task: Make the Dudes a Media Company

Dude Perfect’s new CEO wants fans to be able to experience the brand in person.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
August 28, 2024

New York First: Yankees and MSG Go All In on Live Sports Streaming Pact

The YES Network and MSG Networks will offer their content in a combined streaming app.
August 28, 2024

ESPN’s Pitaro: RSN Turmoil An Opportunity to Expand Local Game Coverage

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro highlights a fast-developing regional content strategy.
August 26, 2024

NFL Ready to Break New Ground With Historic Private Equity Investment

The league is poised to make official a long-awaited embrace of private equity.
August 19, 2024

NFL Private Equity Could Be Approved Before Season

No minority franchise stake sales have been publicly announced this year.