Chargers’ decision could open door for Raiders to move to LA
On a day when Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis met with Las Vegas casino giants, the NFL took steps to keep the Chargers in San Diego and pave the way for a Raiders move to Los Angeles.
The moves came a day after Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced it was creating a group to build a $1 billion domed stadium with at least 65,000 seats on property owned by UNLV along Tropicana Avenue.
Davis visited Las Vegas on Friday, touring the 42-acre site that could host the facility and meeting with Las Vegas Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson, who has said he will fund the lion's share of the private-public venture. Davis also met with Wynn Resorts chairman Steve Wynn, who reportedly is considering a stake in the stadium.
Andy Abboud, Las Vegas Sands' senior vice president of government relations and community development, said Thursday the group is moving forward on the project with or without an NFL team.
Davis has been seeking a new home for the Raiders with his lease with O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California, ending next month. He had applied to the NFL for relocation of the team to Los Angeles this month, but his bid was rejected when owner Stan Kroenke was allowed to move his Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles, where he will build a privately funded stadium in the Inglewood suburb.
The Chargers were given a one-year option of joining the Rams in the new stadium at the NFL relocation meeting two weeks ago, and the Raiders were given the second option as the second team in Inglewood.
While Davis was in Las Vegas on Friday, Chargers chairman Dean Spanos announced the team had agreed to the structure of a future deal to play in the new Los Angeles stadium. But he said he would take the next year to negotiate a deal for a new stadium in San Diego and that the team would play there for at least the 2016 season.
The Chargers can ask for the one-year option to be extended for one year if San Diego voters approve public financing for a stadium.
"This has been our home for 55 years, and I want to keep the team here and provide the world-class stadium experience you deserve," Spanos said.
The NFL originally offered the Chargers and Raiders $100 million each to help build new stadiums in their original markets. The Chargers also can use a $200 million construction loan from the league toward a new stadium, the NFL announced Friday.
Spanos has another reason to try to remain in San Diego. Moving to Los Angeles would require the Chargers to pay a $550 million relocation fee to the league starting in 2019. The payments could be spread over 10 years.
"We are very supportive of the decision by Dean Spanos to continue his efforts in San Diego and work with local leaders to develop a permanent stadium solution," NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell said in a statement. "NFL ownership has committed $300 million to assist in the cost of building a new stadium in San Diego. I have pledged the league's full support in helping Dean to fulfill his goal."
Should the Chargers stay in San Diego, the door would be open for the Raiders to join the Rams in Inglewood. But it is one of many options for Davis, who has talked to San Antonio officials about a move.
No details of the meeting between Davis, who inherited the team from his late father in 2011, and the Adelson-led group were released. But the meeting was confirmed with a photo on the Sands' Twitter account.
The Review-Journal is owned by a limited liability company controlled by the Adelson family, majority owners of Las Vegas Sands.
Review-Journal wire services contributed to this report. Bill Bradley is sports editor of the Review-Journal. He can be reached at bbradley@reviewjournal.com or 702-287-2909. Follow him on Twitter: @billbradleyLV
