COSTA MESA, CA – Entering a short week and preparing for their AFC West rival Oakland Raiders on Thursday, a report surfaced on Monday night that the Los Angeles Chargers were open to possibly moving their franchise to London.
Spanos was furious with the reports of his team moving again and adamantly refuted the story on Tuesday afternoon. What Spanos uttered sounded like it were lyrics by DMX.
“It’s total f—— b——-,” an angry Spanos to reporters. “We’re not going to London. We’re not going anywhere. No consideration has been given to the Chargers playing anywhere other than Los Angeles at the new stadium at Hollywood Park next season and beyond!”
Hours later the NFL released a statement regarding the report on the team being open to move.
“No consideration has been given to the Chargers playing anywhere other than Los Angeles at the new stadium in Hollywood Park next season and beyond. There have been no discussions of any kind between the NFL and the Chargers regarding moving to London. Both our office and the Chargers are entirely focused on the success of the team in Los Angeles.”
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, who remained focused on the upcoming game on Thursday night in Oakland, responded to the story in his opening press conference for the week.
“I just found out about the story last night,” Lynn said. “I don’t think there’s anything to it. Well, I know there’s not anything to it. We’re not going to let it be a distraction for us.”
The Chargers according to reports have struggled with ticket sales and popularity in their new market of Los Angeles since their arrival in 2017. Since arriving at then Stub Hub Center (now Dignity Health Sports Park), attendance at game has seen more of the opposing teams fans in largers number than the Charger team fans. The team and owner Dean Spanos has been unfairly criticized since departing from their home of 58 years in San Diego in search of greener pastures in Los Angeles.
The city of Los Angeles have been without pro football for over 20 years, so like anything else, it takes time to grow the fan base of a new city. Spanos had every right to move his team to L.A., and the Bolts will play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood with the Los Angeles Rams next season.
