In February of 2021, the city of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority had filed a lawsuit against the NFL and its 32 teams over the 2016 relocation of the Rams to Los Angeles.
The lawsuit reportedly was seeking more than $1 billion in damages.
In recent news, a St. Louis judge ruled Monday that plaintiffs in the 4-year-old lawsuit over the Rams’ 2016 move to Los Angeles may obtain financial records on the NFL, Rams, team owner Stan Kroenke and five other league executives to help a jury decide on possible punitive damages at next year’s trial.
During a hearing Monday, Circuit Judge Christopher McGraugh said St. Louis, St. Louis County and the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports Complex Authority have shown sufficient evidence to seek financial records from the league, the Rams and franchise owners Kroenke, Clark Hunt, Jerry Jones, John Mara, Robert Kraft and Jerry Richardson.
STL claims NFL kept discovery confidential. Email from Eric Gruman-"I'm trying to get some terrific L.A. opportunities to fruition under cover of darkness."
— Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) July 12, 2021
McGraugh gave the plaintiffs 10 days to submit additional pleadings on why the details about the assets of dozens of other team owners and executives should be included as evidence.
The claim by the plaintiffs is such: based on previous testimony, Roger Goodell contradicted the NFL’s position on the Rams’ relocation.
The plaintiffs also presented evidence that a phone call took place in 2013 between Kroenke, Goodell, Mara, and Steelers owner Art Rooney in which the Rams owner said, “I’m going to buy two parcels of land and build a stadium in L.A.”
2014 Email from Demoff to NFL says L.A. land story is coming out. League responds "what should we say." Demoff provides talking points that Goodell uses in Super Bowl press conference, denying he knows land purchase by Kroenke is for stadium.
— Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) July 12, 2021
Kroenke also allegedly added in the call that he was trying to stay under the radar and keep the purchase of the land hidden. “We will respect your confidentiality,” Goodell responded.
STL has record of 2013 phone call with Kroenke, Goodell, Mara (Giants) and Rooney (Steelers). Kroenke says "I'm going to buy 2 parcels of land and build a stadium in L.A." Says we're trying very hard to stay under the radar screen and keep it hidden." Goodell: "We will respect
— Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) July 12, 2021
Former NFL running back and USC standout Reggie Bush also filed a lawsuit against the Rams and The Edward Jones Dome in 2015 due to a knee injury. Bush was awarded 12.5 million in damages.
STL says NFL & Kroenke committed "willful or outrageous or reckless act vs. plaintiff rights."
— Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) July 12, 2021
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