With increasing urgency, the San Diego Chargers are continuing talks with the Los Angeles Rams about a potential move to L.A.
Following the rejection of Measure C–which called for a new stadium/convention center in downtown San Diego–by San Diego voters, the Chargers are faced with two options. One is to remain in San Diego and hope to revive stadium talks, while the other is to exercise an option to move to Los Angeles an join the Rams at a new stadium in Inglewood when it opens in 2019.
For both teams, the stakes are clear. The Chargers have to decide if their future is in San Diego or Los Angeles, and how much longer they willing to wait things out at Qualcomm Stadium. As for the Rams and owner Stan Kroenke, they will be in a better position if they learn the status of the Chargers sooner rather than later. More from CBSSports.com:
There remains a strong chance the Chargers’ relocation fee to move to Los Angeles decreases before a final deal is struck, sources said, and Kroenke is uniquely motivated to move the process along. The Rams cannot begin to sell personal seat licenses and suite deals until he has closure on whether it’s the Chargers or Raiders joining him, and he is eager to get those sales started to help fund the massive financial undertaking of constructing his new stadium in Inglewood. [Chargers owner Dean] Spanos could conceivably ask for an extension of his window to move — which would have repercussions on the Rams — and Spanos has more leverage in this matter than many believe.
Unless the Chargers somehow obtain an extension on their option, it will expire on January 15, 2017. If it is exercised, the Chargers will likely play the next two seasons in Los Angeles, with reports indicating that the StubHub Center–home of the MLS’ LA Galaxy–could be used as their temporary home.
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