A representative for the San Diego Chargers confirmed in a radio interview that the team intends to file the necessary paperwork paving the way for a potential move to Los Angeles.
This doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, as the Chargers have long been expected to make this move. Still, it’s the first solid confirmation that it’s happening.
“At this point yes, because there’s no sign that the other team or teams are not going to file,” spokesman Mark Fabiani told The Mighty 1090 AM, per the San Diego Union Tribune. “Everyone assumes all three teams will file, and in that case we can’t afford to lose our market in Los Angeles and Orange County.”
“If everything is moving ahead, obviously we’re not going to be standing on the sidelines and watching everything go by,” Fabiani continued. “We’ve got to stay in the game to protect the franchise.”
The Raiders and Rams have also been rumored to be considering a move to Los Angeles, but the Chargers are the first to confirm that they’re actually moving forward with the plans. According to Fabiani, those two franchises played a role in the announcement, as the Chargers cannot afford to lose the 25 percent of season ticket holders from the Los Angeles metro area.
The actions stem from the Chargers’ inability to get the downtown stadium that they desire in San Diego, while the city would prefer it to be in a similar location to the current Qualcomm Stadium.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the Chargers moving to Los Angeles is a done deal. There’s still a long way to go, and the paperwork won’t even be filed until January. Chargers fans will also have the opportunity to be heard at an NFL-scheduled public forum on Wednesday.
