Peter Angelos, managing general partner of the Baltimore Orioles who is trying to bring an NFL team to Maryland, said Thursday he is looking for a “yes or no” from Ram owner Georgia Frontiere and team President John Shaw in the very near future.

“We’re waiting for John Shaw to get in touch with us,” said Angelos, who is in Los Angeles. “With respect to John Shaw and the Rams, it would be far better for all concerned to have a yes or no very soon. I believe we could do a deal very quickly; we have covered the most important details.”

Angelos, however, said there remains one major disagreement with Ram ownership: The eventual sale of a majority interest in the team. There had been published reports that Angelos had softened his position and had indicated he might be willing to give up his demand for a majority share of the team if that’s what it took to get a franchise for Baltimore.

Angelos discounted those reports and said his position has not changed.


“Right now it’s critical to the deal,” Angelos said. “I don’t want to concede the point.

“We had an experience in Baltimore (departure of the Colts) that we don’t want repeated. We’re looking for an NFL team to remain in Baltimore for perpetuity, and that’s not a reflection on Mrs. Frontiere or John Shaw, but we want to make sure a football team stays in Baltimore. It just works better when the investor group is indigenous to the local community.”

Shaw said he had no meeting planned with Angelos this week, but Angelos said there was a possibility the two could get together while he is here.

“That’s a possibility,” Angelos said. “Obviously I’m here.”


Angelos, who has also expressed interest in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said his plans do not include a discussion with the Raiders about a move to Baltimore.

“You persist, that’s what you do,” Angelos said. “Eventually there will be a franchise not adequately supported on the local level and one will become available for Baltimore.”

St. Louis, which is also trying to get the Rams, has tentative plans to present its offer Wednesday to Shaw.