Chargers owner says team will play in San Diego for 2016
Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced Friday that the team will remain in San Diego for the 2016 NFL season despite reaching agreement with the Rams on joining them in Inglewood.
“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,” Spanos announced in a statement.
“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.”
The Chargers had two options: remain in San Diego for 2016 or join the Rams in the LA Coliseum. It’s just as well for them to play the season in San Diego for continuity purposes rather than move to LA just to be in a temporary home. But let’s be realistic: Spanos wants out of San Diego long term. He’ll be moving the team to LA when the Inglewood site is ready. This is probably his strategy to keep fans in SD optimistic so that they actually pay to attend games this season.