The St. Louis NFL Partnership (STLNFLP) was founded by Jerry G. Clinton and Francis W. Murray to pursue a National Football League (NFL) expansion franchise for the metropolitan St. Louis region. In June 1989, STLNFL successfully initiated and advocated legislation for a new $265MM NFL stadium in downtown St. Louis. In July 1990, NFL Hall Of Fame running back Walter Payton and James B. Orthwein joined STLNFLP. In 1992, the NFL narrowed the candidate cities competing for two expansion teams: St. Louis; Baltimore; Charlotte; Jacksonville and; Memphis. In the Fall, 1993, the NFL awarded teams to Charlotte and Jacksonville, notwithstanding the objective merit of St. Louis' NFL expansion application. In 1995, the Los Angeles Rams successfully petitioned the NFL to relocate to the new St. Louis stadium.