AP

Technically speaking, the Rams are talking to Missouri officials about a new stadium deal which would keep the team in St. Louis.

But Rams owner Stan Kroenke keeps buying land in California, just in case.

In an column by Nick Canepa of U-T San Diego outlining the impact on the Chargers of a team moving to Los Angeles (perhaps even themselves), Kroenke’s recent interest in real estate is revealed almost parenthetically.

After mentioning the 60 acres in Inglewood he bought earlier this year, the report says Kroenke is “said to be negotiating to purchase” of Hollywood Park, the 300-acre defunct racetrack.

While the stadium issue in Los Angeles is a hot potato that stays in the air longer than teams have stayed in L.A., Kroenke having such a stadium-sized parcel should be a concern to any Missouri politicians who have serious hopes of keeping the Rams in town.

If, of course, they’re serious about trying to keep them.