“We’re working with the right people to make sure that there’s not only a benefit to sports fans, but much more importantly an economic benefit to the region, both in the short run and long run,” Nixon said. “And this assists in the continued transformation of the area downtown. And continues to add value to the region and our state.

“What we’re looking at here is solid economic development to keep the Rams here. While you want to have the basic underlying piece of this make sure that you’re an NFL city. What that means for us is — we want to keep the Rams. But there’s much more to it than that.”

Peacock and Blitz have received positive feedback from Grubman and Goodell. League officials like the tentative plans and have encouraged the St. Louis task force to keep moving forward on the stadium pursuit.

“I think it’s fair to say the NFL has appreciated their relationship with St. Louis,” Nixon said. “They see it as a good place. Now they’re looking for concrete, positive action by public and private interests here that we want to compete (for the Rams). And in my view we will do that before the mid to late part of January.

“It’s important to both Rams fans as well as St. Louisans to know we’re a major-league city. And to know that the Rams are a team that we support.”

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