The San Diego Chargers are likely going to exercise their option to move to Los Angeles, according to a report from ESPN.
In recent weeks, it has seemed increasingly likely that the Chargers would exercise this option, which allows them to join the Los Angeles Rams at a new stadium in Inglewood (shown above) when it opens in 2019. While Chargers owner Dean Spanos has previously said that an announcement about the team’s status will wait until after the season, the Chargers alternative to Los Angeles is reviving stadium talks in San Diego after voters there widely rejected Measure C–a proposal for a stadium/convention center–in an Election Day referendum.
The deadline for the option is January 15, 2017. There had been questions in recent weeks as to whether the Chargers would look to extend that option, but timing is a factor for both the Chargers and Rams owner Stan Kroenke. More from ESPN.com:
“Dean has said that he wants everyone to be able to focus on the remainder of the Chargers’ season, and so [he] won’t be making any final decisions until after the season is over,” said Mark Fabiani, the point person on the stadium situation for the Chargers. “That hasn’t changed.”
The Chargers have a tenant-lease agreement with Rams owner Stan Kroenke that lowers the team’s risk because they do not have to borrow money for construction of the $2.6 billion project.
The Rams and Chargers would jointly share revenue such as naming rights, suites, sponsors and advertising. The teams would be on their own to sell season tickets and personal seat licenses.
Kroenke has motivation to complete a deal with the Chargers, because he cannot begin selling personal seat licenses until reaching a decision on whether the Chargers or Raiders will relocate to Los Angeles.
If the Chargers ultimately exercise the option, the 2016 season could be the team’s last in San Diego. While the Rams will play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until the stadium in Inglewood opens, reports have indicated that the Chargers will seek to use Carson’s StubHub Center–home of the MLS’ LA Galaxy–as a temporary venue.
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