Beam, Youngblood Reportedly Going to WLAF’s Orlando Thunder

Dick Beam, the Rams’ director of operations for the past 10 years, is scheduled to be named the new general manager of the Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football in a press conference this morning, the Orlando Sentinel reported today.

The paper also reported that Beam could be joined in the Thunder front office by former Ram star and current administrative assistant Jack Youngblood.

Youngblood, who worked as an executive for the Sacramento Surge in the WLAF’s inaugural season, told the Sentinel that he had hoped to get the Thunder GM job. Instead, Youngblood was offered the No. 2 position in the front office--director of football operations.

Youngblood, who did not know the general manager’s job was going to be offered to Beam when he spoke to the Sentinel, said he wouldn’t make a decision on the Thunder’s offer until he knew who he’d be working under.

It is unclear whether Beam’s presence would add to Youngblood’s desire to join the organization.

The Thunder, which is owned by Newport Beach businessman Raj Bahathal, has undergone drastic front-office changes in its only year of operation. Bahathal, whose company manufactures and sells swimsuits, is a friend of Ram owner Georgia Frontiere.

As director of operations for the Rams, Beam supervised the daily running of Rams Park, arranged team travel and was a liaison between the team and Anaheim Stadium.

If Beam leaves, one prime candidate to replace him is Dennis Bickmeier, the team’s assistant director of sales and promotion.