Insights

NFL’s Rams are hoping a Missouri rule will move a case against St. Louis to another part of the state

November 2, 2021 – Media Mention
CNBC

Irwin Kishner, co-chair of Herrick's Sports Law Group, was quoted in CNBC discussing the lawsuit between the City of St. Louis and the NFL's Rams regarding the relocation of the Rams to Los Angeles. The article notes that, "[c]ity officials in St. Louis are seeking financial damages they claim they suffered when the NFL’s Rams departed in 2016 for Los Angeles." In addition to the NFL, defendants include the Rams' owner and the other 31 professional football teams and their owners.   

The Rams claim that hosting the case in the St. Louis area will result in prejudice and are pushing for the case to be moved to a different venue, citing a rule that allows a case to be relocated if "inhabitants of the county are prejudiced" or the "opposite party has an undue influence over the inhabitants of the county." The article further notes that that sports executives are monitoring the case as it could create a "blueprint for local governments to seek compensation should a major pro sports team move." 

In discussing the plaintiff's claim for damages, as well as a piece of the increased valuation associated with the Rams' move to LA, Kishner explained, "[t]he city lost a valuable member, and it’s pissed[.]" He added, "And it’s a city that’s looking for its piece of the pie."

Read the full piece in CNBC here.