Los Angeles Rams

Report: Jerry Jones 'backdoored' deal to get Rams to LA

Published Jan. 12, 2016 11:09 p.m. ET

Andre Vergara

The Dallas Cowboys made headlines last weekend with a report that they proposed a joint Rams-Chargers stadium deal to the other 31 NFL teams. On Tuesday, following the Rams' approved move to LA, ESPN's Shelley Smith reported that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "backdoored this whole deal."

Jones called Rams owner Stan Kroenke "godsent" and an "angel" and reportedly gave a passionate speech on behalf of the Rams' proposed move at Tuesday's vote. Jones is among the richest and most powerful NFL owners and, according to reports, that group was strongly in favor of relocation. And it's pretty clear why: Kroenke reportedly will write a check for $550 million to the NFL for the right to relocate the Rams to LA. That's just for starters.

"Stan committed $2.6 billion," Jones gushed with a grin.

Owners reportedly are bullish on the plans for Kroenke's $1.8 billion stadium in the LA suburb of Inglewood, which is scheduled to open in 2019 and could become one of the premier venues in all of sports.

It could mean another $15 billion for the NFL, Jones said.

Jones called it "absolutely the greatest plan ever conceived in sports, as far as how to put the show on." The plan also "leaves all options open for great cities like St. Louis, believe it or not, Oakland, San Diego," Jones said.

“St. Louis is a fabulous city in a fabulous state, and certainly they’re an NFL city,” Jones told the Star-Telegram. “It’s just that Stan Kroenke is in an exceptional situation, and he has great sports interests and great willingness to put serious resources toward his enthusiasm. Those are called angels in the NFL.

“He will be such a face of that franchise, with what he’s done just by the sheer fact that he’s willing to commit several billion, not just the cost of the stadium, but the cost of the whole development around it. And it’s not on paper. It’s not options. This is the real deal. That really ruled the day in the NFL, and it should rule the day.”

The Chargers were given a year to negotiate a lease agreement to join the Rams in their new stadium. The Raiders, who also applied to move back to LA, could take the Chargers' place if they stay in San Diego, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Little chance Bob McNair and Jerry Jones--two of the most powerful owners in the league---would sign off on that. https://t.co/PONTx0Xuwg
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 13, 2016