ST. LOUIS (AP) -- St. Louis was unsuccessful in bidding for the latest round of NCAA Final Fours for 2012 through 2016, a failure that likely can be blamed on the no-frills, already aging Edward Jones Dome.

The dome, which cost $300 million, is only 13 years old. But it's not much of a showplace compared with new arenas in Dallas, Indianapolis and Houston -- three of the cities that won bids. Atlanta (2013) also was a winner, while New Orleans was given the 2012 event to help revitalize a city devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

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"It's a sobering reality," said Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Doug Elgin, whose conference is host for NCAA events. "What is the shelf life of these huge facilities?"

The city bid on three of those five events, leaving out 2014 and 2015 with the expectation that the dome would be undergoing renovations during that time to fulfill obligations of the St. Louis Rams' lease that require the building be among the top quarter in the NFL. The franchise also could be sold by the children of former owner Georgia Frontiere, who died in January.

"Whether or not we return as a player depends on what happens with the facility, what happens with the Rams," Elgin said.

St. Louis last held the Final Four in 2005, and officials had been optimistic about getting another bid.

"I couldn't call it a shutout, but it certainly is a disappointment," said Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission. "We can't bring back the same package and expect to win the next time.

"We improved the package significantly since 2005 and we need to improve even more."

The Final Four will go to Dallas in 2014, Indianapolis in 2015 and Houston in 2016. Indianapolis and Houston are also due to serve as host the next two years.

"Even though we're better, look at what other cities are offering," Elgin said. "They are much taller trees."

St. Louis was among five cities shut out in the bidding Wednesday. The committee decided that the five cities are guaranteed an opportunity to host preliminary rounds during this cycle.

Despite the losing bid, St. Louis remains a heavy player in NCAA basketball. The Women's Final Four next April will be the ninth such event in a 13-year period.

"It's clear they have a high degree of confidence in St. Louis, by virtue they give us a lot of everything," Elgin said. "We have to feel good about ourselves. Look at all we have coming, and let's continue to do a first-class job."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)