With the Rams Departing—What Next for St. Louis?

D.J. Wilson and John Elgion review the implications of the decision by NFL owners this week to allow the St. Louis Rams to become, once again, the Los Angeles Rams. The article places the decision in context of the shrinking population and racial conflict found in St. Louis and common in older cities around the Midwest:

Like other struggling industrial cities in the Midwest, St. Louis has been rocked in recent decades by a changing economy that has drained it of jobs, investment, civic institutions and residents. So for many jilted fans, the departure of its N.F.L. team — despite its mediocre 7-9 finish this year — seemed like piling on.

The irony of the situation is not lost on the reporters, who quote residents clearly disgusted by the decisions of the team and league, but still devastated by the loss. The tone of the article overall, however, is forward looking and positive, focusing on how this loss can be turned into a positive for the city of St. Louis.