Team's Decision To Stay Put Surprises Local Chargers Fans
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — At El Compadre, one of the biggest San Diego Chargers bars in Los Angeles, fans were stunned to hear that the team has decided to stay put for at least one more season.
"We all thought for sure they'd be up here," one fan said.
Many local fans had hoped the team would exercise its option to join the Rams in moving to Los Angeles. But Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced Friday that the team would stay in San Diego for the 2016 season.
"I've been to Qualcomm Stadium recently for a couple events, and that stadium is in desperate need of repair, so I can totally understand why a pro football team would not want to play there," said Kathy Larsen, a Chargers fan.
The deal with the Rams gives the Chargers a safety net in case they fail to lock down a new stadium, with the drama promising to roll on through the end of the year.
"They're not the LA Chargers! They're the San Diego Chargers, and they need to stay where they're at," said Larry Chavez, another Chargers fan.
And if voters in San Diego end up approving a new stadium for the Chargers and the team stays, the Oakland Raider could then move to Los Angeles to join the Rams.