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Nixon And Mo. Senate Leaders Agree On At Least One Thing: No State $ For A New Rams Stadium

St. Louis Public Radio | By Marshall Griffin,
Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Published February 5, 2013 at 12:46 AM CST

Those hoping to keep the Rams in St. Louis should not count on any help from DemocraticGovernor Jay Nixon or the Republican-led Missouri Senate.

When asked by reporters Monday about efforts to build a new stadium for the Rams, Governor Nixon said that the state is still paying half the cost of the Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis.

“I don’t have a new stadium in this year’s budget, nor do I have any ongoing discussions on how to do that," Nixon said.

Also, Republican leaders in the Missouri Senate are adamant that state funding will not be used to help build a new stadium for the St. Louis Rams, even if the NFL were to help cover some of the costs.

“I’m telling you that I am not going to support public funding for a football stadium," said Tom Dempsey, Missouri President Pro-tem (R, St. Charles).  "I think everything, what I have heard and what I have read, is that no one is surprised about any decision that has taken place, up to and including the arbitrators' ruling, and that this is all a part of a negotiation.”

Arbitrators last week ruled in favor of the Rams’ plans to renovate the Edward Jones Dome, which would cost at least $700 million.  Plans backed by theSt. Louis Convention and Visitors Commissionwould only spend about $124 million on renovations.  If the CVC does not agree with the Rams’ proposal, the franchise would be free to break their lease after the 2014 season and possibly move to another city.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.

(via Flickr/Kevin Ward) /

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Marshall Griffin
Missouri Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a proud alumnus of the University of Mississippi (a.k.a., Ole Miss), and has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off the old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Mason, and their cat, Honey.
See stories by Marshall Griffin
Marshall Griffin
St. Louis Public Radio State House Reporter Marshall Griffin is a native of Mississippi and proud alumnus of Ole Miss (welcome to the SEC, Mizzou!). He has been in radio for over 20 years, starting out as a deejay. His big break in news came when the first President Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989. Marshall was working the graveyard shift at a rock station, and began ripping news bulletins off an old AP teletype and reading updates between songs. From there on, his radio career turned toward news reporting and anchoring. In 1999, he became the capital bureau chief for Florida's Radio Networks, and in 2003 he became News Director at WFSU-FM/Florida Public Radio. During his time in Tallahassee he covered seven legislative sessions, Governor Jeb Bush's administration, four hurricanes, the Terri Schiavo saga, and the 2000 presidential recount. Before coming to Missouri, he enjoyed a brief stint in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reporting and anchoring for WWNC-AM in Asheville, North Carolina. Marshall lives in Jefferson City with his wife, Julie, their dogs, Max and Liberty Belle, and their cat, Honey.
St. Louis Public Radio
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