Rams will enter arbitration on upgrading Edward Jones Dome

The St. Louis Rams and the entity operating the Edward Jones Dome will head to arbitration over plans to upgrade the facility and make it a “first tier” NFL stadium.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) voted to begin the arbitration process, something that could last until the end of the year.

The CVC proposed a $124 million plan to upgrade the stadium and the Rams countered with an ambitious plan that some estimated would cost up to $700 million – not terribly far off the cost to build a brand new stadium.

Now, a three-member panel that will be selected by both parties will enter into the process. If the Rams don’t have a “first tier” stadium, they can terminate the lease at the stadium following the 2014 season, allowing owner Stan Kroenke to move the club. The Rams could also go year-to-year at that point if they desired.

We’ll see if Los Angeles is more than pawn here to help the Rams get what they want. The franchise-less city has helped so many other NFL franchises get new buildings. Stay tuned.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune