[rich2202]

Over the short-term (few years), loosing the football team is not a big deal operationally (other than revenue). Football is only a guaranteed 8 days per year.

Most of the costs are fixed costs (debt service and maintenance). So, running a full program of non-football events helps to offset the fixed costs.

The first budget item to be cut will be maintenance. That should not materially impact the facility in the short-term (through 2017). Whether non-football revenues are enough to cover required maintenance (health and safety issues) will determine whether it is cheaper to keep the facility open past 2017, or to close it.

If St. Louis does commit to a new stadium, that may have a more immediate impact. If the current facility is closed in order to build the new stadium ... Chicago did something similar a few years ago, and games were played at the Univ of IL in Champagne during the renovation.