Tuesday October 3, 2023

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

Rams
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

NBC is exploring broadcasting a slice of the expanded CFP in 2026.
Listen Now
October 3, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

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
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer stands court side before the game against the Golden State Warriors Chase Center.

The 20 Richest American Sports Team Owners for 2023

LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is first for a ninth straight year.
Football analyst and PFF investor Chris Collinsworth talks to man in front of computers

Cris Collinsworth 'Lost a Lot of Sleep' Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues

New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.”
Levi's Stadium

49ers Study Shows Benefits of Public-Private Stadium Deals

Levi’s Stadium has generated more than $2 billion per new study.
Panini

Arbitrator Rules Panini Can Continue Selling NFLPA Products

Panini can continue to sell NFLPA-licensed products.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

An advocacy group is filing an NLRB case against the Ivy League over athlete compensation.

Advocacy Group Files Federal Labor Charge Against Ivy League

It’s the latest in a flurry of NLRB cases over amateurism.
The Colorado Buffaloes played in the most-watched game of Week 5.
October 3, 2023

Colorado Ratings Bonanza Continues Despite Two Consecutive Losses

The Buffs’ least-watched game this season was still the most-watched this week.
NBC is interested in media rights to the expanded College Football Playoff.
exclusive
October 2, 2023

NBC Is Interested in Expanded College Football Playoff Media Rights

NBC is one of the networks pitching the CFP, a source confirmed.
October 2, 2023

MLB Attendance Surges 70 Million, Tops League Projections

League posts best year-over-year increase at the gate since 1993

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Team 23XI owner Michael Jordan looks on from pit road during qualifying before the Ally 400 at Nashville.

Michael Jordan’s Estimated Net Worth Hits $3B

The NBA legend sold the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion in June.
Boston Unity formally announces its successful NWSL expansion bid with a media and community event alongside Mayor Wu and other dignitaries at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts.
September 22, 2023

Brad Stevens, Wife Invest In Boston’s Expansion NWSL Franchise

“It’s cool to be on that ground floor,” Stevens said.
September 11, 2023

Josh Harris Was Commanders’ Only Option Despite ‘Really Complicated Deal’

Harris told FOS he was the only real option left as owner.
Spain's women's national soccer team says it will not play matches until federation president Rubiales is removed.
September 10, 2023

Spanish Federation President Resigns In Wake Of WWC Scandal

Embattled executive shifts course, but remains insistent of his innocence
Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno (right) and outfielder Mike Trout
September 1, 2023

Former Marlins Exec Predicts MLB Team Sales Amid Media Rights Uncertainty

David Samson believes the Orioles, Angels, and Nationals could be sold soon.
August 10, 2023

49ers CEO Accused Of Insider Trading Amid Chegg Controversy

Shareholder lawsuits make series of financial misconduct claims
June 26, 2023

Wizards, Capitals Owner Explores Arena Options, Possible Move

Monumental Sports & Entertainment chairman Ted Leonsis is now asking big questions about the future of the 25-year-old Capital One Arena.
Neko Sparks
June 26, 2023

Senators Bidder Neko Sparks Readies for Next Chance

The entrepreneur is focused on the next team to hit the market.