This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, June 5, 2012 - Dave Spence, a Republican candidate for Missouri governor and a professional football fan, says he hopes the St. Louis Rams reaches an agreement with city officials and stays in St. Louis.
“No more bad news,’’ Spence said in an interview with the Beacon over the weekend, while he was in Springfield, Mo., attending the state Republican Party’s convention.
The Rams and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission are now negotiating over proposed improvements to the Edward Jones Dome. At the behest of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, the CVC has rejected the Rams’ proposal for $700 million in dome renovations. The team’s proposals included removing part of the Dome’s roof.
The Rams’ current contract with the city, St. Louis County and the state of Missouri – all co-owners of the dome – allows the team to move if the Dome is not among the nation’s top 25 percent of professional football stadiums by 2014.
Both sides are continuing to negotiate. So far, Gov. Jay Nixon -- also a Rams fan -- has made no public statements about the talks.
Spence, a Kirkwood businessman, noted that he’s a Rams season-ticket holder. But his views about the team go beyond that of being a fan, Spence said.
“It gives a bad image if you don’t have a professional sports team.”
