Rams ask court to dismiss lawsuit over move to L.A.

The Rams want the U.S. District Court in St. Louis to dismiss a lawsuit filed by four fans who accuse owner Stan Kroenke and others of making misleading statements about their desire for the franchise to remain in Missouri.

“None of the statements committed the Rams to stay in St. Louis,” the six-page motion filed Monday said. “Indeed, while Plaintiffs contend they were misled into believing the Rams would stay in St. Louis … the very same interviews from which the Plaintiffs selectively quote also affirmatively disclose the possibility that the Rams might relocate from St. Louis.”

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The fans sued in January the day after NFL owners approved the Rams’ move to Los Angeles. The plaintiffs allege that Kroenke and Kevin Demoff, the franchise’s chief operating officer, deceived fans about their intention to relocate so the Rams could continue to sell merchandise and tickets, in violation of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act.

The motion to dismiss says any statements made by Kroenke and Demoff were protected by the 1st Amendment because they weren’t made in connection with the advertisement or sale of merchandise and that the franchise “had no affirmative duty to disclose their contingent business plans.”

“Vague statements about … ‘building a winner for St. Louis’ are not actionable misrepresentations of fact,” the filing said.

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Further, the motion said, the plaintiffs received the full value of tickets, concessions and merchandise they purchased and can’t show any loss.

The lawsuit, one of at least five filed against the Rams related to the move, seeks unspecified damages.

nathan.fenno@latimes.com

Twitter: @nathanfenno

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