Report: Chargers considering rebrand if they move to LA
The San Diego Chargers could be headed to Los Angeles, and they may have a new team nickname if they do so.
The Los Angeles Daily News’ Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Chargers are considering rebranding if they move to Los Angeles:
FYI: According to multiple sources #Chargers considering rebranding if they move to L.A.
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) December 18, 2016
Scott Kaplan, a host on The Mighty 1090 in San Diego, reported Sunday that Chargers owner Dean Spanos is leaning towards moving to Los Angeles after San Diego voters rejected a stadium proposal in November.
.@ScottKaplan talked with Dean Spanos today, who told him that he's leaning towards moving the @chargers to L.A. after disappointing vote.
— The Mighty 1090 (@Mighty1090) December 18, 2016
57% of voters were against the measure. The Chargers have been exploring a move and were approved in January to move to Los Angeles. They have until Jan. 15 to exercise that option.
If they move to Los Angeles, the Chargers would be in competition for fans in the same marketplace as the Rams. With the Rams struggling so much, the Chargers would have an opportunity to capitalize. Rebranding would also be extremely interesting, as the Chargers do have some history in LA. The franchise’s inaugural season in the AFL in 1960 was as the Los Angeles Chargers before they moved to San Diego. Perhaps they figure that given some of the bad blood between San Diego and LA sports teams, some LA fans would be slow to embrace the Chargers. Maybe they think that rebranding could give the city a feeling that this is their own team.