The Rangers have not yet indicated whether that burden will definitely cause them to move to New Jersey. But, ever since Gilbert began publicly coveting Byrne Meadowlands Arena several months ago, the Rangers have made a point of noting that they have first rights to it, since it is within the 50-mile territorial sphere that the league grants each of its teams.

That sphere would allow the Rangers to play in the Meadowlands without the approval of the league. By contrast, a transfer of more than 50 miles, such as the Rockies propose, requires unanimous approval of the 21-man Board of Governors.

Since the board is made up of one representative from each of the teams (the Rangers' representative is Jack Krumpe), this requirement would appear to place the Rangers in postion to veto the Rockies' move. Bid to Avert Move

Also at today's Board of Governors meeting, a group of 12 prominent Coloradans, including Senator Gary Hart, made what Ziegler described as an ''impressive presentation'' as to why the Rockies should remain at the McNichols Arena in Denver, where, Gilbert has said, the team is losing money at the rate of $3 million a year.

''They had a senator, a congresswoman and several well-known businessmen in their group,'' Ziegler said, ''and they asked for time to allow the community to come forth and support the team and find the solution to the money problems.''