JT on 920 AM (mostly on relocation stuff)

Jim Thomas Talks Rams Revenue, Says ‘Debatable’ Kroenke Has Votes to Relocate

http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/STLSports/STLRams/tabid/137/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18466/Jim-Thomas-Talks-Rams-Revenue-Says-Debatable-Kroenke-Has-Votes-to-Relocate.aspx

St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas called into The Hollywood Casino Press Box on Tuesday to discuss a multitude of topics surrounding the Rams as they prepare to open their 2015 Training Camp.

We typed up a few notable quotes from the segment. Listen to the whole thing below.

The NFL paid out at least $227 million to the Rams last year?

“It’s the revenue sharing that the league has had before any of the four sports. Bill Bidwell used to brag that he didn’t have to sell one single ticket and would still make a profit. So don’t kid yourself…When you’re talking about Stan Kroenke and the profitability of the Rams, he has made tons of money running the Rams since 2010 as the controlling owner and also before that as the minority owner. He’s made a lot of money on his investment of the Rams.”

Will you be in Chicago Aug. 11 for the NFL owners meetings?

“That’s still to be determined. I went to the May meetings in San Francisco. I would like to slip away from training camp to be up there for that one.”

On reported momentum being gained on the Carson stadium project:

“I’ve talked to a couple people who kind of have the impression…that if it isn’t dead even or close to a dead heat with Inglewood, it’s definitely closing the gap. Carson got a later start than the Inglewood project. Carmen Policy…it hasn’t been that long since he’s been out of the league…and he’s a highly respected person in the league. And he can be very persuasive.”

On Stan Kroenke getting enough owners votes to relocate:

“I think it’s very debatable that Stan has the votes right now. Maybe he’ll be able to buy off the owners…maybe he could use money in some other fashion. What I continue to hear is that he doesn’t have the votes. I would be very surprised if (Shahid) Khan down in Jacksonville voted yes.”

On Dave Peacock hosting the NFL Hall of Fame Golf Tournament in September:

“In some ways, he’s kind of one of the guys. He knows Roger Goodell personally. And he’s known Eric Grubman for a long, long time. I don’t think that can hurt, that familiarity with the league.”

Do you have the feeling there’s a different feel entering this season?

“I still have to cover the team…but I will stay this…I took a little hiatus in July and I came back to work yesterday and it’s a happy time if you love football. And as I walk into Rams Park yesterday, I’m thinking, ‘Could this be the last time the fans watch the Rams at training camp.’ It’s hard for me to totally block it out of my mind. I’m sure that’s the case with most – if not all – Rams fans.”