Chargers Announce L.A. Move

The NFL’s San Diego Chargers announced intentions to move to Los Angeles after 56 years in the city, and could share the new Inglewood stadium being built for the newly moved Los Angeles Rams NFL team. 

AP Photo/Denis Poroy – Mad Fans
Throw down Chargers jerseys in front of Chargers headquarters in San Diego after the team announced that it will move to Los Angeles.

“San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years,” Chargers chairman Dean Spanos announcement Jan. 12 on Twitter. “But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers.” 

The announcement comes less than three months after San Diego voters overwhelmingly rejected a team-sponsored ballot measure asking for $1.15 billion in increased hotel occupancy taxes to help fund a downtown stadium and convention center.

The Los Angeles Galaxy announced that the apparently newly named Los Angeles Chargers will play in the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., home to the Major League Soccer team.  At shy of 30,000 seats, the StubHub Center would be by far the smallest stadium hosting regular NFL home games.  It is expected the Chargers would move to the Inglewood stadium being built for the Rams, which is scheduled to open in 2019. 

Richard Vogel/AP. file – If You Build It …
Earth movers clear an area where the new Los Angeles Rams stadium is being built in Inglewood, Calif.

The Rams played their season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Chargers announcement casts further doubt that the Oakland Raiders would enter the Southern California market, as owner Mark Davis continues to be courted by promises of vast sums of Las Vegas casino and tax dollars.