Posted on 01/29/2016 3:25:01 PM PST by nickcarraway
The Chargers have reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams, but the Bolts will play in San Diego in 2016, the team announced Friday.
This newest development in the Bolts’ stadium scramble comes one day after the San Diego Chargers released a statement announcing plans for an interim headquarters and practice facility in Santa Ana, Calif., in the event they move Los Angeles.
At 2:50 p.m., the Chargers released the following statement on Facebook from team Chairman Dean Spanos:
"Today I decided our team will stay in San Diego for the 2016 season and I hope for the long term in a new stadium. I have met with Mayor Faulconer and Supervisor Roberts and I look forward to working closely with them and the business community to resolve our stadium dilemma. We have an option and an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams to go to Inglewood in the next year, but my focus is on San Diego. This has been our home for 55 years, and I want to keep the team here and provide the world-class stadium experience you deserve. Everyone on both sides of the table in San Diego must now determine the best next steps and how to deploy the additional resources provided by the NFL.
I am committed to looking at this with a fresh perspective and new sense of possibility. With deep appreciation for your years of support, Dean A. Spanos."
The NFL had installed a March 23 deadline for the team to make its decision on where it would play the 2016 season so the league could finalize schedules and all the other business of getting ready for the upcoming football season. Following Spanos' announcement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released this statement:
"We are very supportive of the decision by Dean Spanos to continue his efforts in San Diego and work with local leaders to develop a permanent stadium solution. NFL ownership has committed $300 million to assist in the cost of building a new stadium in San Diego. I have pledged the league’s full support in helping Dean to fulfill his goal."
Before Friday’s major announcement, it appeared as if negotiations between the Chargers and Rams had stalled. The two teams have been trying to come to an agreement on a move that would allow the Chargers to join the Rams in their new NFL stadium in Inglewood.
On Thursday, when asked if the Chargers had entered into a lease-purchase agreement for the land, Chargers Special Counsel Mark Fabiani told NBC 7 there would be no details released regarding the transaction.
Well, after years of wondering what would happen, we know that something will definitely happen. The Chargers and the city both know that they will move in 2017 unless a stadium deal happens this year. There is a finish line to all the back and forth talking about what could happen in the future.
I hope they stay in San Diego. I don’t think there is any need for the NFL in Los Angeles.
All three team: Rams, Chargers, and Raiders already played in Los Angeles and left.
Packers to stay in Green Bay.
I’d like to see the Chargers stay. They are a great brand for San Diego, and that city should have professional sports teams. The Rams are a fine fit in LA, although I hate seeing St Louis lose a team. The Raiders....could not care less where they play. A move to LA would only help the brand.
Why would it help the brand? They already tried that for 12 years. They can't be moving around all the time. Now they want to go to San Antonio.
I’m guessing that tickets will be available for the Chargers Home game for 2016. Chief fans will grab their share when they visit.
Are the Chiefs finally going to step up and get an NFL-caliber QB this year. It’s a shame to waste such a good team.
It’s really remarkable how badly Spanos played this. He used to be pretty well regarded, but not anymore.
NFL caliber QBs might actually manage the clock, Andy Reid can’t have that.
The Chargers should stay in San Diego. The Raiders can go to L.A., instead - they have roots there and Oakland is a hopeless city that is on the verge of losing the Warriors and A’s, too.
Spring is less than a month away, and the Royals are once again predicted to finish in 4th in the American League Central Division. That’s why they play the games.
Spanos really must be a megalomaniac. Where does he think he would move Los Angeles to? Somewhere in the middle of Montana?
Spanos really must be a megalomaniac. Where does he think he would move Los Angeles to? Somewhere in the middle of Montana?
Oakland is only their third home.
Hoping for RAIDERS/CHARGERS hook-up.
grumbling,,,
grown men in stretchy pants,,,
being watched by low testosterone unichs
sorry,
my grumpy side is showing
Siberia hopefully.
Siberia hopefully.
At this point a lot of Charger fans want to see Spanos pack his crap and get out of town. The San Diego Super Raiders could light up the sky aye aye at Qualcomm Stadium.
The A's have been "rumored to move" longer than the Raiders or Warriors. Their moving to San Jose goes back 15 years., at least.
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