Prior to the start of the 2016-17 season, the NFL did not have a team in Los Angeles since 1994. Now, in less than two years, it turns out there might be two teams playing in the bright lights of Hollywood.
Following the Los Angeles Rams return home from their stint in St. Louis after nearly 22 years, the San Diego Chargers are expected to exercise the team’s option to move to Los Angeles next season, according to Jim Trotter of ESPN:
“Barring a miracle, the San Diego Chargers are expected to exercise the team’s option to move to Los Angeles in 2017.”
When the league approved the relocation of the Rams to Los Angeles in January, the Chargers were also given the option to join them with a one-year deadline to make a decision. While Chargers chairman Dean Spanos has until Jan. 15, 2017 to officially make a decision, the team is expected to relocate after last month’s failed attempt to help pay for the stadium’s project by raising hotel taxes to secure $1.15 billion in bonds.
Due to the franchise’s tenant lease agreement with Rams owner Stan Kroenke that allows them not to borrow money for the construction of the $2.6 billion project, both teams would share the new stadium in Inglewood when it is complete by the start of the 2019 season. Both teams would share multiple facets of stadium revenue such as naming rights, suites sponsorships and advertising, but would conduct season ticket sales and personal seat licenses on their own.
The Chargers, however, will have to pay $650 million in relocation fees if the decision goes as planned and must purchase land to construct a new practice facility. The next NFL owners meeting is in December in Dallas where the Chargers and the Oakland Raiders stadium situations will be addressed as both are exploring their options to relocate elsewhere.
