× Expand This riverfront stadium may never make it past the rendering stage.

After months (years?) of speculation about the Rams' future in St. Louis, we're finally going to find out whether they'll stay or go. The NFL owners are meeting in Houston today and tomorrow to vote on three teams' bids to move to Los Angeles. The Rams, Chargers, and Raiders have all applied to move, but at most two will be given permission to relocate. The Rams have proposed to build a stadium in Inglewood, while the Chargers and Raiders are working together on a stadium in Carson. Other possibilities, like Jerry Jones' suggestion that the Chargers and Rams partner in Inglewood, have been thrown out. Everyone seems to agree that the situation is "fluid."

Below, we'll round up the latest developments in this unfolding story. Updates will be posted in chronological order, so scroll to the bottom of the latest.

Update 8:45 a.m.: Just before the meeting started at 9 a.m. this morning, Jason Cole from Bleacher Report tweeted that the six-member LA committee, which has been weighing the various proposals from months, will recommend the Carson project for approval.

× #NFL LA committee met for 3 hours last night. Is expected to recommend Carson site for approval, source said. #Rams #Raiders #Chargers — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

× Now hears the caution: Just because the LA committee recommends Carson, that does NOT mean it's approved. Lots of politics. — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Update 9:30 a.m.: Yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reported that there was growing consensus among NFL owners for a Rams-Chargers partnership in Inglewood. This would require Chargers owner Dean Spanos to turn his back on his partnership with Mark Davis of the Raiders, and Stan Kroenke to share his Inglewood project with Spanos. Despite the recommendation of the LA committee, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune still believes the Raiders are the team most likely to be left without a seat in this game of musical chairs.

× I still have people telling me Raiders are gonna be odd team out. Phone battery already almost drained. What a day. Leave me alone, people. — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) January 12, 2016

Update 9:45 a.m.: Earlier in this process, the tea leaves seemed to indicate that many NFL owners and league executives and others in the know felt the Inglewood project was stronger than its counterpart in Carson. But the latter received a major boost when Bob Iger, Disney's chairman and CEO, signed on to spearhead the Carson project. Today, Iger will be the one presenting that proposal to the NFL owners. Perhaps his presence will have some sway with the voting owners.

× Bob Iger is making the presentation for Carson today. Not a surprise, what he was brought in for. — daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) January 12, 2016

Further Reading: In the Post-Dispatch, long-time Rams beat writer Jim Thomas reflects on the team's time in St. Louis. Thomas reported on the effort to bring the Rams to St. Louis from L.A., and now he's reporting on the team's push to move back again, which all must seem like a weird, backwards, surreal, confusing form of deja vu. The piece is great and worth reading, but also pretty painful for diehard Rams fans. Consider this line:

The team owner at the time [of the Rams' Super Bowl 34 victory], the late Georgia Frontiere, looked NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue right in the eye as she accepted the Lombardi Trophy after that game, saying: “This proves we did the right thing, coming to St. Louis.” Kroenke now thinks otherwise.

Or this one:

If Kroenke’s planned relocation bid is approved, St. Louis’ second NFL marriage will be over. There probably won’t be a third.

Update 10:10 a.m.: Here's a little more info on how the meeting today will go down. First, Rams COO Kevin Demoff, not the most charismatic guy, will present the Inglewood proposal. Then Iger will present for Carson. Before and after, the meeting will open up, and the owners will have a chance to share their thoughts. That's when the backroom dealings will begin. Perhaps Spanos will be persuaded to join Kroenke in Inglewood. Perhaps Davis will be given money for a new stadium in Oakland in exchange for pulling the Raiders out of the LA running. In order to relocate, a team needs a three-fourths majority, meaning votes from at least 24 of the 32 owners.

Several outlets have reported that Spanos presently has the most support. According to Ken Belson of the New York Times, speaking this morning on CBS Sports 920 here in St. Louis, the support for Spanos might outweigh the support for Kroenke by two-to-one. That said, both Kroenke and Spanos likely have enough votes to block the other, which could lead to something of a standoff.

Even so, reports from Houston seem to indicate that while these meetings are scheduled for two days, a decision today is not out of the question.

× There is some sentiment here that vote could take place today. — Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 12, 2016

Important Update 10:21 a.m.: This guy doesn't want the Raiders to move.

× Now that @26DrDeath is here, the party can begin. pic.twitter.com/jd8GIKFm8y — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 12, 2016

Very, Very Important Update 10:38 a.m.: The media is not allowed into the meeting room, so the 200 or so reporters who've shown up today are left to simply wait in a different part of the hotel. Luckily, there are donuts.

× Kudos for not being afraid to confront a stereotype. pic.twitter.com/lTjDnacLti — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) January 12, 2016

× Lots of national media here at the NFL owners meeting in Houston. Pretty good donuts too. pic.twitter.com/aWc7YoW3d0 — Florian Martin (@Florian_News887) January 12, 2016

Update 10:44 a.m.: This isn't exactly breaking news, but it's important to note: The St. Louis stadium task force, led by Dave Peacock, was not invited to these meetings. The task force's proposed riverfront stadium gained the support of the governor and the city's board of aldermen, but never the Rams.

See more: 5 Reasons Why the Rams Want to Leave St. Louis

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced this weekend that the plan wasn't good enough for the league to lock the Rams in St. Louis. He ruled the same with regard to Oakland and San Diego. So at this point, that ship has sailed. The owners who are meeting in Houston are not considering St. Louis' stadium proposal. It likely won't matter to them that the plan here was more developed than those in Oakland or San Diego. The owners will simply be comparing the Inglewood and Carson projects, deciding which of three owners who wants to go to LA they like the most, and voting.

If you feel Goodell's decision regarding the St. Louis plan was unjust and that the fix has been in from the beginning, well, Bernie Miklasz of 101 ESPN agrees. You can read his satisfying anti-Goodell rant here. For fans, sports is all about emotion; but for the league and the owners, football is a business. They'll do whatever is best for their bottom line, and if that means they have to bend the relocation guidelines, so be it. The shame is that Peacock, by all accounts a well-intentioned guy, was taken for a ride by the league, who encouraged him to keep developing the stadium proposal, only to move the finish line every time St. Louis got close.

Update 11 a.m.: It was reported earlier that the Rams' PR guy, Artis Twyman, was at the meeting. Could this mean that Silent Stan might speak? Well, according to Martin Kilcoyne of FOX 2, should Kroenke be given approval to move to Los Angeles, he will in fact speak.

× Also told. If #rams get LA approval. Stan Kroenke. Wait for it. Will talk to the media. FOX2 would carry it live. #nfl #rams — Martin Kilcoyne (@martinkilcoyne2) January 12, 2016

Update 11:02 a.m.: Serious props to these Rams fans repping STL at the meetings.

Update 11:07 a.m.: The Rams have finished their presentation to the owners. It's now Carson's turn. Rumors are swirling that the owners could vote today.

× Rams wrapped up presentation to owners around 10:30 am CT. Robert Iger now making pitch for Carson. Spanos and Davis will also present, — Scott M. Reid (@sreidocregister) January 12, 2016

Update 11:15 a.m.: Detractors of Kroenke's Inglewood project, whose price tag might top $2.5 billion, have pointed out that the FAA has not given that stadium its blessing, because it might impact radar at the nearby Los Angeles airport. Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal reports that Mike Bidwill, who has experience moving football teams out of St. Louis, plans to bring up the FAA issue at today's meetings.

Now, does that mean he's going to bring it up to say, this FAA issue is a big problem and the Rams need to stay in St. Louis, or rather, this FAA issue is easy to fix and the Rams can move? We don't know...

× Told FAA/inglewood issue will be brought up by owners on floor today, including Mike Bidwill, who dealt with FAA issues in arizona — daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) January 12, 2016

Update 11:30 a.m.: Both the Inglewood and Carson contingents have now finished their presentations. Disney CEO Iger, Chargers owner Spanos, and Raiders owner Davis all spoke in favor of Carson. Next up, reporters on the outside believe, will be a report from the NFL on the two Los Angeles sites, as well as a final update on the proposals in the three teams' current home markets. (So perhaps the St. Louis stadium effort will play a role after all.)

Rumors have long swirled that Goodell favors the Inglewood site, so perhaps he will use his influence to push for it now. At this point, everything is still speculation.

× Backers of the Carson and Inglewood projects have finished their presentations to NFL owners. — Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) January 12, 2016

× Raiders owner Mark Davis, Chargers owner Dean Spanos and Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger all spoke for Carson. — Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) January 12, 2016

Update 11:40 a.m.: Rumors suggest that Goodell is considering allowing the owners to vote via secret ballot. This could ruin the plans of any St. Louis fans hoping to mail feces to owners who vote to allow the Rams to leave.

Wild Speculation: While we sit around to see how this decision turns out, let's make some wild predictions about what might happen afterward.

If the Rams are allowed to relocate, would that be the end of the NFL in St. Louis? Some have speculated that perhaps the Jacksonville Jaguars would move here. That's news to Jags owner Shad Khan, who has reaffirmed his commitment to Jacksonville and is working to expand his team's presence in London. Despite his connections to Illinois and his past interest in St. Louis football, Khan doesn't seem poised to swoop in and bail us out. Similarly, there's been discussion about the Raiders, if they are the odd team out in the LA sweepstakes, moving to St. Louis. That, too, seems unlikely. So what St. Louis might become is just a bargaining chip, an open market that other teams will use to bilk more money from their cities whenever it's time to build a new stadium. They'll flirt with us, with no intention of ever actually coming.

If the Rams are not allowed to relocate and are forced to continue in St. Louis, would Kroenke consider selling the team? After the scorched earth approach of the relocation bid in which Kroenke absolutely trashed St. Louis (and inspired #KroenkeComplaints), it would be difficult to imagine him coming back here. Would a local ownership group step forward to buy the team? Could Kroenke buy the Raiders who are moving to LA, or buy the Denver Broncos, in a city where he also owns the basketball and hockey teams? Rumors run wild.

Update 11:55 a.m.: No surprise, Iger was apparently quite convincing in his presentation. Spanos, too.

× #NFL source on Bog Iger presentation: "Makes you want to own Disney stock" — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 12, 2016

× Iger led presenation. Spanos made plea to owners on behalf of his family. — Scott M. Reid (@sreidocregister) January 12, 2016

Update 12:10 p.m.: According to a report just released by Mike Florio of NBC's Pro Football Talk, the Chargers could push for a one-year delay in the LA process to block a forced marriage with the Rams in Inglewood.

As mentioned above, Spanos has the nine votes needed to block Kroenke. If the possibility of the Rams and Chargers partnering in Inglewood is put to a vote, Spanos could block it. According to Florio, that would possibly force a one-year delay in the process, with neither project able to garner the necessary votes to move forward. That would cause the Chargers to remain in San Diego and the Rams to remain in St. Louis for another season, an untenable option for Kroenke after the way he's treated St. Louis.

It's also possible that Spanos could use blocking Kroenke in Inglewood as leverage to force Kroenke to join him in Carson, with a big payoff for Davis to remain in Oakland. There are so many ifs.

Update 12:25 p.m.: The owners have broken for lunch, and we're going to do the same. More to come this afternoon.

Update 1:35 p.m.: Confirming some of the rumors that we discussed this morning, the Orange County Register is reporting that Chargers owner Dean Spanos has made it clear to his counterparts that he has the votes to block Stan Kroenke's Inglewood stadium and to resist the Chargers being pushed to join the Rams there. According to the story, Spanos believes he has 17 to 20 votes. He is also expecting five of the six members of the influential LA committee to recommend the Carson project over Inglewood. The committee was set to present right after lunch. The members of that committee are:

Panthers owner Jerry Richardson

Steelers owner Art Rooney

Giants owner John Mara

Texans owner Bob McNair

Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt

Update 1:40 p.m.: Bob Iger just gave an interview recapping his presentation, saying that he, Davis, and Spanos spoke from their hearts about the benefits of the Carson project. Watch the 2-minute clip for yourself here. "The nice thing about Carson is how centrally located it is," Iger said, noting that there are football fans all over Southern California. And of course, the Carson project is located next to key freeways, a fact that's of vital importance in "traffic-challenged" LA.

Update 1:49 p.m.: According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the LA committee has formally recommended the Carson project. They did so by a 5–1 margin, with Clark Hunt the lone dissenter. He said he opposes relocation. If a team is going to move, it should be one team, not two.

× #NFL LA comm recommends Carson site 5-1. Lone exception: #Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, who said should 1 team or none #Rams #Chargers #Raiders — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

× It was known the committee favored Carson. One unknown is weight of committee to sway vote. https://t.co/3XKgcS7zJz — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) January 12, 2016

Update 2:15 p.m.: While they're stuck waiting on a decision, several media members are killing time my tweeting jokes. A couple of our favorites:

× Latest source tells me that the NFL is expanding to other planets. New teams playing on Mars next year. Stand by — Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) January 12, 2016

× So to recap. It's easier to find El Chapo then to resolve #NFL LA situation. Also heard he prefers the Carson plan. #nfl #rams #fox2 — Martin Kilcoyne (@martinkilcoyne2) January 12, 2016

Update 2:30 p.m.: The NFL is now in an owners-only meeting, which we assume means no commissioners allowed. Perhaps this was done so the owners could hash things out without the meddling of the NFL execs who were pushing for Inglewood. As recently as last night, the league was trying to persuade the committee to change its mind.

× This is interesting: NFL now in owners-only session. — David Hunn (@davidhunn) January 12, 2016

× last night, #NFL staff tried to nego better landlord-tenant deal between #Rams & #Chargers in Inglewood with LA Comm. Comm didn't like idea — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Update 2:38 p.m.: If having Disney on the side of Carson wasn't enough, Randy Karraker from 101 ESPN is now reporting that Anheuser-Busch president Carlos Brito has called the NFL on St. Louis' behalf, putting his weight behind Carson as well. A-B is, of course, the NFL's official beer sponsor and one of the its biggest advertisers.

× Just finished a hit on @TheTurn_101ESPN . @AnheuserBusch Prez Carlos Brito called NFL on STL's behalf. Owners meeting now w/o league staff. — Randy Karraker (@RandyKarraker) January 12, 2016

Update 2:50 p.m.: According to Post beat writer Jim Thomas, the league has told team owners not to talk about relocation until the decision is made.

× Been told by a couple of sources now that team owners are under instruction from league not to talk about relocation until decision made. — Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 12, 2016

Update 2:55 p.m.: This whole thing keeps swirling in a circle, and around and around we go. The latest buzz is that the Rams have made a substantial offer to the Chargers on a partnership in Inglewood, and now it's up to Chargers owner Dean Spanos to decide whether he's willing to accept the terms. The momentum then would seem to be headed toward the Chargers and Rams in Inglewood, with Kroenke giving Spanos more of an even partnership in that project than Stan has thus far been willing to offer. And the Raiders seem to have very little support among owners.

But at the same time, Jason Cole, who has been breaking a lot of news today, recently told Tim McKernan on CBS Sports 920 that some of the other owners are "ticked off" with how Kroenke has handled this entire situation:

There are a lot of things that are ticking owners off on how Stan is doing business. Stan could screw this up. He could overplay his hand...and get enough of the other owners ticked off enough that they ultimately go with another option.

× From @JasonColeBR: If you really had a real partnership between Spanos and Kroenke either in Carson or Inglewood, they could get 24 votes. — Tim McKernan (@tmckernan) January 12, 2016

Update 2:57 p.m.: The first vote is imminent, reports say. Whether any proposal has anything close to 24 votes seems doubtful at this point, but we'll see.

× Hearing first vote coming up soon — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 12, 2016

× Can confirm that Jerry Jones #Rams/#Chargers proposal is on the ballot — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 12, 2016

Update 3:06 p.m.: St. Louis sports talker Howard Balzer is reporting that Stan Kroenke basically threatened the other owners this morning. We've seen no other confirmation of this claim. (Not surprisingly, NFL sources and the Rams are now denying that Stan made this threat.)

× Hearing Stan Kroenke told owners this morning not to cross him; believes there would be collusion if chose Carson with Chargers-Raiders. — Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) January 12, 2016

Update 3:08 p.m.: Bob Iger went to a coffee shop and was mobbed by reporters. Clearly, we're getting desperate.

× The media swarmed around Bob Iger getting coffee at starbucks. He said at one point, "you are desparate." — daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) January 12, 2016

× Bob Iger being totally swarmed by media at the stabucks in the hotel here. Says he feels confident about the carson project — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 12, 2016

× Bob Iger as a pack of reporters walked with him after a coffee break: "This is the toughest cappuccino I've ever ordered" — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 12, 2016

Update 3:16 p.m.: Ray Hartmann, the owner of SLM, astutely observed that watching this drama on Twitter is more fun than watching an actual NFL game.

× Watching NFL stadium games on Twitter is more fun than watching NFL games on TV. Here's hoping #Kroenke blows his lead in the 4th quarter. — Ray Hartmann (@rayhartmann) January 12, 2016

Update 3:20 p.m.: It's been reported that the Rams going to Inglewood by themselves has been taken off the ballot for the owners' vote. That means we'll either have two teams in Carson or two teams in Inglewood. This is, I think you'd have to say, good news for people who want the Rams to stay in St. Louis. It's also bad news for Chargers fans in San Diego. In either of the possible scenarios, the Chargers are moving to Los Angeles.

See also: John Oliver’s Message to St. Louis Rams Fans: Make Kroenke Pay for New Stadium

So here are the two possible outcomes: Either the Chargers and Raiders move to Carson, or the Rams and Chargers move to Inglewood. Supposedly Chargers owner Spanos is holding firm in his partnership with the Raiders and does not want to partner with the Rams. It would seem Carson is in the lead. Although, I'm not sure we can completely shut the door on the outside chance that the Rams somehow join the Chargers in Carson, with some big payoff going to the Raiders to stay in Oakland.

× #Rams alone to Inglewood has been pulled from the ballot — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 12, 2016

Update 3:33 p.m.: The voting has begun, and it will not be secret. Also, we have some confirmation perhaps that Stan has threatened to sue if he loses out and the Carson project wins.

× Update. voting has begun. No secret ballot. Stan did mention legal action if Carson chosen. First reported by @HBalzer721. #rams #fox2 — Martin Kilcoyne (@martinkilcoyne2) January 12, 2016

Update 3:35 p.m.: Here's an interesting wrinkle. According to Post-Dispatch reporter David Hunn, the current vote is between the Chargers and Raiders in Carson and the Rams and an unnamed team in Inglewood. What could unnamed team possibly mean? There are only three teams that have applied for relocation. So you'd think the unnamed team would have to be Raiders or Chargers. Since the Raiders seem to have little support among owners, that unnamed team must be the Chargers, right?

So here's the weird situation in which we find ourselves: The Rams and Chargers partnership has the most support from other owners, but those teams do not actually have a partnership, since the Chargers are holding strong on Carson.

× I understand NFL owners now debating merits of two proposals: Chargers and Raiders to Carson vs. the Rams PLUS unnamed team to Inglewood. — David Hunn (@davidhunn) January 12, 2016

Update 3:41 p.m.: More jokes!

× To be fair, Kroenke threatening legal action against you is a sign of his friendship. It's like his version of a secret handshake. — Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) January 12, 2016

× I wonder if it is hard for the other owners to hear over Stan Kroenke's Darth Vader breathing mask. #Rams #NFL — Nicholas J.C. Pistor (@nickpistor) January 12, 2016

Update 3:45 p.m.: It seems the reporters in Houston are having a hard time figuring out what the owners are actually considering. Apparently, there is a third option, which would be to send the Chargers to Carson by themselves. This is moving quickly and could be decided within the next couple of hours.

× Owners reportedly weighing three options: Charger/Raiders to Carson, Rams/Chargers to Inglewood and Chargers going alone to Carson. — Ken Belson (@el_belson) January 12, 2016

Update 4 p.m.: This tweet, more than all the others, explains where we now stand. The owners prefer the Inglewood site. They don't prefer Stan.

× In sum, owners are deciding between a piece of land they like and human being they don't, and a human being they like and land they don't. — Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) January 12, 2016

Update 4:05 p.m.: Kudos to whoever was driving that truck.

× Was on the phone looking out window at owners' meeting hotel when I saw a truck go by w/large electric sign: Keep the Rams in St. Louis. — Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 12, 2016

Update 4:15 p.m.: An unnamed owner has told the Los Angeles Times that the committee's recommendation for Carson is "not at all an indicator" of what the final result of the voting will prove to be.

Update 4:20 p.m.: Things have suddenly gotten pretty quiet, perhaps too quiet. Is a decision imminent?

Update: 4:24 p.m.: This is the biggest and (for St. Louis) worst news of the day. In the first round of voting, the Rams and TBD in Inglewood got more votes than the Raiders and Chargers in Carson. Neither side has the required 24 votes yet, though. This is going to have to be a brokered deal, it would seem. (Also I clearly called it on the calm before the storm. No, I'm not going to predict how this will turn out.)

× First round of votes completed. Rams/TBD in Inglewood gets more votes than Raiders/Chargers in Carson. Nobody at required 24 yet. — Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) January 12, 2016

Update 4:36 p.m.: Now that the first vote has been taken, the owners are reportedly in sidebar meetings. Clearly, the committee's recommendation wasn't persuasive. This would seem to come down to Spanos. If he's willing to cave and join Kroenke in Inglewood, that would be a winner. But if Spanos won't budge, what happens? Could Davis sell out and go to Inglewood? Remember, the ballots weren't secret, so each side knows whom they need to sway. The waters, they are murky. In the meantime, more jokes.

× Sean Penn has lined up an interview with Dean Spanos. — Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) January 12, 2016

× The only way these NFL meetings could be more ludicrous is if the team mascots had to negotiate proposals using hand signals & hotdog guns. — Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) January 12, 2016

Update 4:45 p.m.: With symbolic timing, in Jefferson City today, legislators held a hearing to discuss blocking the bond extension on the Jones Dome that would be used for the new riverfront stadium. Obviously, that entire discussion is moot, because at this point, it's very, very clear that Kroenke is not going to play in (much less pay for) that proposed stadium.

× Hearing on bill to stop extension of existing state bonds at Jones Dome for a new STL football stadium #moleg pic.twitter.com/nVDOzcESRt — Betsey Bruce (@betseybruce) January 12, 2016

Update 4:55 p.m.: According to Scott Reid of the Orange County Register, "Chargers, Rams, Raiders and NFL officials now working on potential compromise." Given how deep his pockets are, I'd say Silent Stan is likely to come out of any compromise in good shape. Probably that means he'll get to LA. If not, I'd say there's a decent chance he'll be given the first shot at whatever other market becomes available that he wants. Perhaps he wouldn't have to pay a relocation fee when the time comes. All just speculation, of course.

Update 5:10 p.m.: And the vote tally has now been made public. There were 20 votes for Kroenke and Inglewood, but only 12 for Carson. Kroenke is getting closer to California all the time. The LA committee is now meeting with Spanos and Davis, possibly so the committee can apologize for not swaying the group in their favor.

I have to imagine Spanos is pretty shocked right now. Leading up to this, everyone said he had 18 votes. If the Carson project in fact has just 12, which is only half of what it needs for approval, it might be pretty close to dead.

Still, at some point, even if Stan has the votes, he needs to replace the TBD with a real team.

× First round of votes was 20-12 in favor of Rans/TBD in Inglewood – short of the required 24. LA committee now meeting with Spanos and Davis. — Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) January 12, 2016

Update 5:20 p.m.: More great insight from Jason Cole, and every new tweet is starting to feel like a nail in the coffin. Apparently, despite what we were told earlier, this first vote was secret, which means owners who promised to vote for Spanos could switch to Stan. It now looks like Chargers and Raiders are going to be forced in negotiations to break their contract, which some had suggested was more solid legally than previously known. That will set up the preferred outcome of Rams and Chargers in Inglewood. This feels all but over. It's somewhat ironic that the LA committee, formerly Spanos' biggest supporters, are now put into the position of brokering the deal that gives victory to Stan.

That said, there is still a bunch of untangling to do between the Raiders and Chargers. It's been reported that if the Carson deal went through, Iger would have an option to buy one team or the other. What happens to that? If Davis is the odd man out, which seemed likely all along, what does he get?

× #NFL LA Committee meeting with #Chargers #Rams and #Raiders to reach a settlement. Chargers and Raiders need to break their contract — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

× One of the keys to the first ballot is it was secret. That allowed many who had promised to vote with #Chargers to switch. — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

× If owners can reach a deal today on LA between #Rams & #Chargers, it would likely be "in principle." Much negotiating to be done. — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Update 5:36 p.m.: This circus appears to be nearing its conclusion. Roger Goodell has brought a new proposal to the owners, and they are about to vote. It's likely to be an arrangement between the Rams and Chargers in Inglewood, I'd have to guess. Possible Rams move there first to play in temporary home, while Chargers join later once new stadium is ready to go. Also possible Chargers give it another shot in San Diego, with the option to join Rams if it doesn't work out.

× Roger Goodell is discussing a new proposal with the owners. Vote coming very soon. — Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) January 12, 2016

× Owners are impatient. They want to get this done. — Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) January 12, 2016

Update 5:50 p.m.: The presumed is becoming the obvious. It appears the owners are currently discussing a deal to take the Rams and Chargers to Inglewood, with the Raiders receiving some type of consolation prize, possibly massive piles of cash.

× LA committee currently discussing Rams and Chargers in Inglewood. — Ken Belson (@el_belson) January 12, 2016

× Deal likely tonight. Goodell pitching new deal to owners. Question is how does league make Raiders happy? — Scott M. Reid (@sreidocregister) January 12, 2016

× Source just said #Chargers will be given the right to relocate to Inglewood, joining the #Rams — Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) January 12, 2016

Update 5:57 p.m.: U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has a message for the Chargers: You had better think twice before partnering with Stan Kroenke. Just ask St. Louis.

× Potential partner for Kroenke call St Louis. We've got important info for you. https://t.co/xvml6rPiCe — Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) January 12, 2016

Update 5:59 p.m.: An irony that many of our friends on social media have been pointing out is that when St. Louis asked for $300 million from the NFL to keep the Rams here, Roger Goodell said that was way too much. Now, it's likely that the Raiders will be given more than that to stay in Oakland, as part of the settlement being negotiated now.

× Raiders will receive additional loan money earmarked for a future stadium in their home market when this becomes official I'm told — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 13, 2016

Update 6:03 p.m.: I've been saying it for a while, and the reporters are now confirming that it's true. The Carson project is dead. The inclusion of the Raiders there doomed it.

× Seems like Carson is dead, too great a weight the Raiders. That means Iger needs to find something else after retiring from Disney in '18 — daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) January 12, 2016

Update 6:06 p.m.: The decision is imminent. Will be Rams and Chargers to LA.

× Lot of movement on the 4th floor where owner's meetings taking place. Could be an announcement soon. Almost certain to be Rams/Chargers — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 13, 2016

× It seems end result will be what was expected all along by most involved — Rams & Chargers approved for LA — with NFL having pulled strings. — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) January 12, 2016

× Doesn't look like it'll be long now. — Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 12, 2016

Update 6:08 p.m.: As the finality of this is setting in, people are turning their thoughts to the future: Are you ready to try to get a basketball team?

× Sure, shed a tear, then say it with me: #NBA2STL — Christopher Ave (@ChristopherAve) January 13, 2016

And to the past:

× So I guess this is it for the Governor's Cup game with the Chiefs? Another great tradition lost. — Jeff Gordon (@gordoszone) January 13, 2016

Other appreciate the teams that haven't left:

Update 6:17 p.m.: While it appears the deal is basically done, the final vote has not yet been taken, it appears. The owners are using a 45-minute break to pack their bags and gather their cars, and many of them are milling about the hotel, but they have not yet left. Perhaps they're putting their things in order to make a break for it once the decision is made and the media wants to ask all their pesky questions.

The fat lady hasn't sung, but she's warming up her getaway car.

× Art Rooney telling me he has packed his bags but not checked out is evidently because the vote is scheduled to happen within an hour. — UTKevinAcee (@UTKevinAcee) January 13, 2016

× One prominent owner expects a vote within the next hour or so: "I think we're about there." He seemed quite pleased. — Nathan Fenno (@nathanfenno) January 13, 2016

× Jerry Jones pops in the lobby, jumps back in elevator when cameras pop. Are you finished? "No we're not." — Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 13, 2016

× But decision could be close. Owners coming back from break with suitcases. — Scott M. Reid (@sreidocregister) January 13, 2016

Update 6:30 p.m.: We still got jokes!

× Also, Nick Foles will get to answer the big question lingering from last season: Can he throw the ball into the ocean? — Jeff Gordon (@gordoszone) January 13, 2016

Update 6:35 p.m.: The buildup is still building!

× I'm told @STLouisRams players were just texted by the team to be prepared for news tonight from NFL owners meeting in Houston re: team move — Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 13, 2016

Update: 6:38 p.m.: Rams coach Jeff Fisher weighed in to say...something.

× All this talking and fighting, I grew up a fan of the Stl Rams it's bitter sweet but we all have something in common we love the Rams! — Jeff Fisher (@RealJeff_Fisher) January 13, 2016

Update 6:55 p.m.: While the final vote has not yet to be taken, this is a done deal. The Rams are gone. Despite a valiant (and ultimately pointless) effort from the stadium task force and elected officials, St. Louis has lost its football team. After a 21-year absence, the NFL will return to Los Angeles. Here in STL, the Board of Aldermen will have to find something more productive to do with its time. Football fans can watch better out of market games instead of the Dumpster fire that has been the past decade of Rams football.

If there is a galling part, I suppose it's that St. Louis came up with a better proposal than either San Diego or Oakland, and we got screwed the worst anyway. But nothing in this process was ever supposed to be fair, unless you're naive enough to believe that the NFL will follow its relocation guidelines. This is about business. Stan Kroenke had the most money, and he had an arbitration award worth $700 million that he won in a fight with St. Louis years ago. He was never going to be denied.

But lest you feel too bitter, it is probably worth remembering that the Rams were LA's team first. They're going home.

× The #Rams back to L.A. is done. Wherhe the #Chargers join them now or later only question — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 13, 2016

× So where we are is Rams 2 Inglewood, Raiders stay in OAK, w/ wallet fatter, and waiting on Chargers. Kroenke $s 2 big 2 ignore 4 owners — daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) January 13, 2016

× Final vote coming. Raiders likely to get nine figure consolation prize. — Scott M. Reid (@sreidocregister) January 13, 2016

× The #Rams coming back home. Hard to believe. But this is really happening — Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) January 13, 2016

Update 7:15 p.m.: The Raiders have officially withdrawn their relocation bid. That's the last nail in the coffin. Why even take a vote at this point? Might as well break out a rubber stamp instead.

× While swimming in money given by the NFL like they're Scrooge McDuck https://t.co/lKpWSTI45K — Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) January 13, 2016

Final Update 7:20 p.m.: The vote is about to be taken, but the conclusion is foregone. Assuming that at this point, most of our St. Louis readers would rather be spared the rest of the gory details—about how much money is thrown at the Raiders, about the final vote tally, about whether the Chargers will move—I'm officially going to sign off from this live blog. It's been real. Thanks for reading. I'm going home before my brain is destroyed by the surreal experience of LA fans tweeting their love for native son Jeff Fisher. Tomorrow, we can take bets on how long the happy homecoming lasts before LA wakes up and realizes it's inherited a losing team owned by a scumbag. (Final final update: I couldn't resist adding this: The final vote was 30–2 in favor of Stan. It was a blowout the likes of which his football team rarely experiences.)