When NFL owners unanimously approved Stan Kroenke as majority owner of the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday, it officially ended any hopes that Urbana, Ill., businessman Shahid Khan had of owning the club.

Khan entered into a sales agreement to purchase controlling interest of the team in February; two months later, Kroenke exercised a right of first refusal to match Khan's offer. After Wednesday's vote, Khan issued the following statement:

"I have nothing but best wishes for Stan Kroenke as the new controlling owner of the St. Louis Rams. I have gotten to know Stan very well this year. I admire his success, and I am certain he will be an excellent owner for the Rams, the National Football League, and the St. Louis community.

"I'll always appreciate the trust Chip Rosenbloom and Lucia Rodriguez put in me, and I thank Commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners for their professional approach in everything related to the sale process. This adventure didn't turn out the way I had hoped, but it was otherwise a worthwhile experience in every respect, and I'll always be a fan of the St. Louis Rams."

Khan's statement typified the good humor he displayed throughout the process. For example, when Kroenke called in February to inform Khan that he was exercising his right of first refusal, in effect sweeping the team from under Khan's feet, Khan wryly replied: "Well, you don't expect me to congratulate you, do you?"