Updated at 6:28 p.m. Jan. 27, 2016:
Two weeks after Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos spoke separately by phone with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and county Supervisor Ron Roberts, there have been no further contacts, their spokesmen told City News Service Thursday.
Spanos talked to the civic leaders Jan. 14, two days after his team was given a one-year window by the National Football League to join the Rams in a move to Los Angeles.
The Chargers owner has since been considering his options and negotiating a deal with Rams owner Stan Kroenke about the terms in which they would share a future stadium in Inglewood, on the site of the old Hollywood Park.
It’s unclear whether, if the two owners forge a pact, that would mean the Chargers would definitely relocate, or use the provisions to inform future talks with San Diego officials about staying in their home of 55 years.
“The franchise is continuing to review all of its options, and no final decision on relocation has been made, team special counsel Mark Fabiani said.
The Chargers may not be completely ignoring San Diego.
Fabiani said he gave City Attorney Jan Goldsmith an update today, which he said wasn’t an unusual occurrence.
A Goldsmith spokesman confirmed the conversation and also downplayed its significance.
In other developments:
— it was revealed that the Chargers submitted grading and landscape plans for approval by the city of Santa Ana for a five-acre parcel that would be the location of the team’s interim headquarters and training facilities if the team moves;
— the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission heard a presentation on a proposed amended lease with USC that would let two NFL teams play in the venerable stadium, instead of the one currently allowed, until the Inglewood facility is ready; and
— the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp. is leading a group of investors who propose to build a $1 billion domed stadium on 42 acres near the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, amid reports that Raiders owner Mark Davis will be in town to tour the site and other areas in town.
Davis is reportedly ready to meet with Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson on Friday. A Sands spokesman said they have met with representatives of other NFL teams, and planned to go ahead with the project whether they strike a deal with a franchise or not.
UNLV recently acquired the property to build a stadium for the school’s football team.
The Raiders, which no longer have a lease for the Oakland Coliseum, have been mentioned as a possible replacement in San Diego if the Chargers move to Los Angeles.
Regarding Santa Ana, Fabiani said the submission had to happen now because of the long time it takes to get approvals, and install turf to be ready for preseason training camp.
–City News Service
