• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Law

Rams, NFL Near Potentially Costly Trial

  • A $1 billion figure could be ‘starting point’ for plaintiffs to settle ahead of the trial.
  • Trial could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in damages over the Rams’ move from St. Louis.
rams_helmet_on_field
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Unless there’s a settlement over the next several weeks, the NFL — along with Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke — face a jury trial that could lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in damages over the Rams’ 2016 move from St. Louis.

On Sept. 13, a judge denied a bid by the defendants to dismiss the case ahead of the Jan. 10, 2022 trial date. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Sports attorney Daniel Wallach told Front Office Sports that the judge denying summary judgment will likely serve as the “come-to-Jesus moment” for the NFL, making a settlement with the plaintiffs much more likely.

A $1 billion figure could be a “starting point” for the plaintiffs to settle ahead of the trial, Wallach said.

St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority filed the lawsuit in 2017.

Wallach warned of major damages if a St. Louis jury finds Kroenke and the NFL liable for breach of contract and unjust enrichment:

  • The Rams’ increased in value from $1.45 billion in 2015 to its current valuation of $4.8 billion, according to Forbes.
  • The plaintiffs claim the city, county, and state have lost more than $100 million in hotel, property tax, sales tax, and ticket tax revenues since the Rams left town.

If the judge allows the jury to consider the valuation increase along with the $550 million relocation fee, punitive damages — which multiply damages as a deterrent – could surpass $10 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL Viewership Reaches Highest Level Since 2010, Up 8% from 2024

Through Week 5, the league’s audience levels are at a 15-year high.
Mark Schlereth

Fox’s Mark Schlereth to Replace Mark Sanchez This Sunday

Mark Schlereth will replace Mark Sanchez in the broadcast booth for Seahawks-Jaguars.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Singer Bad Bunny watches game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
opinion

How NFL Can Get Its Arms Around Bad Bunny Situation

The league could try to balance Bad Bunny with a MAGA-friendly performer.
Hymie Elhai

Jets Say Execs Tried to Sink Team President in Bumbling Conspiracy

The team says thousands of deleted text messages show the plot.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Brian Flores

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.
Jon Gruden
October 3, 2025

Jon Gruden’s Case Against NFL Gets Closer to Open Court

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the NFL’s appeal. 
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans former quarterbacks Mark Sanchez (left) and Matt Leinart watch from the sidelines during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez, Fox Sports Sued Over Alley Fight That Turned Bloody

The high-profile incident took place Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Apr 16, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis speaks during a FIFA Club World Cup press conference at Audi Field.
October 1, 2025

San Diego Wave Owners Sue Jill Ellis for Abandoning Team After Sale

Ellis allegedly broke a pledge by leaving for FIFA after the sale.
Brian Flores
September 30, 2025

Brian Flores Asks Court to Halt NFL Arbitration

The war between Flores’s lawyers and an NFL arbitrator has heated up.
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans co-founder and former owner Janice McNair (left) sits with Texans chief executive officer Cal McNair and wife Hannah McNair in front of family members of Texans former player Andre Johnson (not pictured) during a ceremony at halftime of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium.
September 29, 2025

NFL Sued for $100M Over Efforts to ‘Silence’ Brother of Texans Owner

Robert Cary McNair Jr. says the NFL helped remove him from roles.
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) grabs a rebound during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) at Moda Center.
September 26, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Panda Express Owners for Dumping Them in Blazers Bid

RAJ Sports says it led a group that sought to buy the Blazers.