Reports: Chargers Close To Joining Rams in Los Angeles

According to the San Diego Tribune, the San Diego Chargers could join the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood by the end of the week. The Chargers have the option to join the Rams in their new stadium in Inglewood until 2019 when the stadium is projected to open. While the franchise hasn’t announced its plans yet, it sounds like a deal is close to happening and it could happen by the end of the week.

The Chargers are saying that they are  still weighing their options, however, Kevin Acee, who covers the team with the Tribune reports that “the Chargers and Rams are close to finalizing a deal to share a stadium in Inglewood,” and that the team has “acquired land in Orange County, California for their new headquarters and practice facility.”

The Chargers were one of three teams, along with the Rams and Raiders to move to Los Angeles. However, since owners voted Jan. 12 to allow the Rams to move from St. Louis and give the Chargers the option to join them in L.A., it has been considered a foregone conclusion the two teams will reach a deal on sharing the Inglewood Stadium planned by Rams owner Stan Kroenke. Meanwhile, the Raiders are exploring options in Las Vegas and San Antonio.

Acee continues to say,

"“The Chargers and Rams are closing in on a limited partnership deal. The Rams would assume all the risk and realize the majority of revenue. The upside for the Chargers is that they would assume no risk via construction costs, minimal debt and still realize significant revenue gains over what is available in San Diego.”"

With that said, there is not a lot of financial downside to L.A. for the Chargers. They would assume no risk via construction costs, minimal debt, and still realize significant revenue gains over what is available in San Diego. Stan Kroenke and the Rams are taking all the risk in the deal. The Chargers say they are still weighing their options, but a deal looks to happening sooner rather than later.