JUDGE DISMISSES ST. LOUIS LAWSUIT.

Byline: Associated Press

The NFL won a legal victory Monday when a federal judge threw out St. Louis' $130 million antitrust lawsuit against the league.

Chief U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton said the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission failed to prove the NFL conspired against the city when it required a $29 million relocation fee before approving the Rams' move from Anaheim.

Last week, Hamilton dismissed two of the CVC's claims and said she had ``severe misgivings'' about the conspiracy allegation but allowed the trial to continue. She then asked both sides to submit briefs on the case, which she received Friday and reviewed before dismissing the case.

She had ruled against the city even before the trial began, saying the CVC could not use subsequent moves after the Rams relocated to St. Louis in 1995 as evidence against the NFL.

The CVC had been seeking to recover money it claimed it overpaid for the Rams, alleging the NFL discouraged other teams from competing with the city. The cost included $20 million of a $29 million relocation fee assessed by the league.

NFL attorney Frank Rothman said the CVC's case was short on facts and long on intangibles.

``The other side was very good on emotions and not very good at the law,'' Rothman said.

Bad break: Cortez Kennedy, the Seattle Seahawks' six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, underwent surgery - after suffering a fractured left leg at San Diego - but coach Dennis Erickson held out hope that Kennedy would be able to play again this year.

A plate was inserted in Kennedy's left leg a day after he broke his fibula in the first quarter of Seattle's 37-31 victory over the Chargers. Erickson said team doctors had told him there was a remote chance Kennedy - depending on how fast his leg heals - could be back in time for the team's Game 14 in Baltimore on Dec. 7.

Dolphins sign Potts: The Miami Dolphins signed free-agent fullback Roosevelt Potts to a one-year contract, attempting to bolster the NFL's second-worst rushing attack.

Potts, 26, had one carry for one yard in two games with the Indianapolis Colts before being waived Nov. 4. He missed all of last season after being suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO NFL attorney Frank Rothman said St. Louis' lawsuit was based on emotions, not the law.

Associated Press