PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : St. Louis Group May Make Final Offer

Former U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton, who is heading St. Louis’ efforts to land an NFL team, said Tuesday that he’ll make one more proposal to the Rams in early November, and it might be the city’s last offer.

“I would hope (this is the last proposal),” Eagleton said. “We’re at the beginning of the fourth quarter (of negotiations), and the game ends Thanksgiving. I’m running out of gas. I don’t know if (Ram President) John Shaw is, but I have other things to do.”

Asked if he was getting impatient with the Rams, who have been discussing relocation deals with Baltimore and St. Louis since last winter, Eagleton said, “No, not me personally. But you listen to the sports talk shows, and you can sense a degree of anxiety among people here. They want an answer.”

Eagleton has been in close contact with the Rams since their 4 1/2-hour meeting in Los Angeles Oct. 12. He said he and Shaw are trying to iron out the “many, many differences” that Eagleton said arose in the meeting.

“When we took our basic proposal to the Rams, they had certain things they wanted improved,” Eagleton said. “We have to see how many we can improve. Some, we will not be able to improve.”

Eagleton would not discuss specific details of the proposal, but in addition to offering the Rams virtually all revenue from a new, 70,000-seat domed stadium, St. Louis officials have said they will attempt to raise $60 million to $90 million through a permanent-seat licensing program to cover the Rams’ costs associated with a move.

Al Kerth, a spokesman for Civic Progress, a coalition of representatives from 26 of the area’s largest companies, would not confirm a report that the group will guarantee sales in the seat-licensing campaign.

“But it will most assuredly be a success,” said George (Buzz) Westfall, St. Louis County executive. “ I guarantee it. We will sell the licenses and the seats.”