Rams added to NFL's revenue-sharing committee

[RamsFan16]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...1?OpenDocument
Rams one of five teams added to revenue-sharing committee
By John Wawrow
ASSOCIATED PRESS
04/25/2006

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue added five teams to a committee that will help determine how a new revenue-sharing plan -- important to small-market franchises' economic stability -- will work under the league's new labor deal.

Tagliabue appointed Houston, Green Bay, Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis to the committee in a memo issued around the NFL on Monday, league spokesman Greg Aiello said Tuesday. Aiello said two more teams, representing the league's lower-revenue franchises, will be added soon to complete the eight-member committee.

Buffalo was the first team appointed last week after Bills owner Ralph Wilson complained the new collective bargaining agreement reached last month, which added a new revenue sharing model, threatens the financial viability of his and other small-market teams.

Wilson's concerns Sen. Charles Schumer (D, N.Y.) to meet last week with Tagliabue, who expressed reassurances that the new labor deal would not hurt or force small-market teams to relocate.

Schumer was pleased with the additional teams selected to the committee.

"It appears that the overall makeup of the committee will be sympathetic to small markets," Schumer said in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press. "This is another big step in our crusade to keep the Bills in Buffalo."

The committee will be split evenly among the league's higher- and lower-revenue teams. Houston, Green Bay, Cleveland and Detroit each had revenue above the league average over the last few seasons. Buffalo and St. Louis represent the bottom fourth revenue-generating franchises.

The committee will recommend how supplemental revenue-sharing money will be distributed. The recommendations must be passed by at least 24 of the league's 32 owners. If not approved by owners, the commissioner has the authority to make the final determination.

[Varg6]

is this a good thing for us or a bad thing? I hope this doesn't make us like an outcast team now, well not that I give a crap what others think about us, GO RAMS

[RamsFan16]

It means we are a Small Market team.

[bigredman]

....and a team that will be screaming for a new stadium with more luxury boxes and seating within two years.

[RamsFan16]

....and a team that will be screaming for a new stadium with more luxury boxes and seating within two years.

I'm not sure St. Louis has the room for a new stadium. They put the EJD right in the heart of St. Louis. So I don't think there is enough room.

[bigredman]

You haven't been to St. Louis lately have you? There is more boarded up buildings and empty homes in that city than you can shake a stick at. The city would have no problem invoking eminent domain.

[RamsFan16]

Yes I've been there but it'd be dumb to do that because the EJD is beautiful!

[RamWraith]

WOW...I wouldn't go that far. You need to check out some other stadiums in the NFL if you think the Ed is that awesome. Mind you it isn't bad, but it does not rank any where in the top 10.

Yes I've been there but it'd be dumb to do that because the EJD is beautiful!

[RamsFan16]

It may not be packed all the time but its still a nice looking stadium. But no way we get a new stadium.

[AlphaRam]

"Buffalo and St. Louis represent the bottom fourth revenue-generating franchises."

That was a surprise to me.