JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMOX) – Missouri’s governor sounded some positive words Monday about the state helping foot the bill for replacing the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

It was announced Friday that Arbitrators sided with the St. Louis Rams and its owner Stan Kroenke, over the Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) in a dispute over upgrades for the stadium.

The Rams’ plan is expected to cost at least $700 million and would require major structural changes to the dome. The CVC presented a much more modest proposal, costing $120 million.

This afternoon Gov. Jay Nixon did not endorse any specific proposal, nor did he even commit to support state funding for the stadium. But he noted that Missouri is already helping pay off bonds issued more than 20 years ago to build the facility to attract the Rams to St. Louis in the first place.

“Right now we’re paying fifty percent of the cost of the building they’re in. I mean, having a team there makes that investment a lot better investment,” Gov. Nixon said.

He also pointed to the ongoing relationship all sports teams have in regards to tourism and the economic impact to the state.

But past ideas for state funding stadiums for private sports teams have met with stiff opposition from the legislator. You may remember that idea years ago for state funding to help pay for the new Cardinals stadium. That idea never got out of the legislator.