As reported on Tuesday, NFL owners are not expected to vote on the pending sale of 60% of the St. Louis Rams to minority owner Stan Kroenke during the NFL Spring Meeting in Dallas on May 24-26.

That vote is not expected to take place until later this summer, Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes this morning that the delay of the sale going through is slowing down the Rams' operation, citing Post-Dispatch beat-writer Jim Thomas in reporting that, according to agents, the Rams' front office lacks the cash to make free agent deals.

I have reservations about how the lack of cash is affecting the Rams' ability to sign free agents at this juncture of the off-season, since free agents signed in late April/early May receive little, if any, up-front cash. However, the franchise's current financial situation could prompt one to question their ability to sign first overall pick Sam Bradford before training camp.

Unlike most #1 overall picks in recent years, the Rams did not reach a contract agreement with Bradford before turning in a draft card with his name on it on April 22. As far as we know, contract talks between the sides haven't extended beyond the preliminary stages, and it may be awhile before Bradford signs.

Bradford's unsigned status would likely delay the signing status of the other first-round picks. (Which is being tracked right here.

Last year's #1 pick Matthew Stafford had a deal in place with the Detroit Lions, which was executed on April 25. New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, the second 2009 first-round pick to sign a contract, didn't do so until June 11.

As NFLLabor.com notes, even though there is no salary cap for 2010, there will be a rookie pool. One media outlet has disclosed these figures, but since it was placed behind a pay wall, I will not link to it or disclose who posted it. The Rams have a rookie pool of $7.596 million dollars in 2010, the highest total in the National Football League due in large part to them not only owning the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but having the third-highest number of draft choices (11) to sign this summer. The rookie pool also includes undrafted free agents, and counts the base salary, pro-rated portion of the player's signing bonus and LTBE incentives ("likely to be earned" incentives, such as roster bonuses) earned in the rookie season.

Contract structure for the top picks in this year's draft class is yet to be seen, but players chosen at the top of the first round typically do not receive first-year signing bonuses. (Since 2006, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas is the only Top 5 pick to receive a signing bonus.)

For example, Stafford, Sanchez, and third overall pick Tyson Jackson's first-year earnings came solely from fully guaranteed base salaries, earned weekly throughout their rookie seasons. The other Top 5 picks from the 2009 draft class received base salaries and training camp roster bonuses, including Rams offensive tackle Jason Smith, who played for the league minimum in 2009, but received a $2.62 million dollar roster bonus on August 7.

Ownership of the Rams may be in a period of transition right now, and Bradford's camp is likely seeking between $45 and $50 million dollars in guaranteed money. With the Rams' minority owner attempting to purchase the remaining 60% of the franchise, through, a lack of a final vote shouldn't keep the Rams from reaching a contract with Bradford, since they likely won't have to pay him any of that money until after a final ownership vote has taken place.