SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - A source told ESPN's Jim Trotter that the San Diego Chargers are expected to exercise the team's option to move to Los Angeles in 2017.
According to ESPN, Chargers' chairman Dean Spanos is expected to exercise the option by next month's deadline.
The move would come after San Diego voters overwhelmingly rejected the Chargers' plan for a new stadium downtown last month.
Measure C, which would have raised $1.15 billion from increased hotel occupancy taxes to help pay for a $1.8 billion stadium and convention center annex downtown, was defeated 57 percent to 43 percent.
It needed 66.7 percent yes to pass.
A day after Measure C had been defeated, Spanos said he wanted "to give the stadium debate a rest and enjoy some Chargers football.
"So I'm going to put aside any discussion of our possible next steps until after the season, to allow everyone to focus on football and to give my family and me time to think carefully about what is best for the future of our franchise," Spanos said. "Over the coming weeks you may hear news about steps that we must take to preserve all of our options. But please know that I don't intend to make any decisions until after the regular season ends."
The team has until mid-January to exercise its option to move to L.A. and join the Rams in a stadium in Inglewood set to open in 2019.
If the Chargers moved, they'd have to find a temporary home.
Spanos could negotiate with Mayor Kevin Faulconer and other stakeholders on a new plan in San Diego.
While Spanos has said he'd like to make it work in San Diego, his surrogates have repeatedly reminded people that the team could move to L.A.
The Chargers have been trying since 2000 to replace aging Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley.
Letter from Dean Spanos to Chargers fans:
San Diego Chargers Owner - Chairman of the Board Dean Spanos sent the following letter to Season Ticket Members and Chargers fans:
Despite the fact that Measure C failed to receive a two-thirds majority, I wanted to reach out right away with a very sincere thank you for your loyal support as a fan and for considering our initiative.
There is much we can be proud of tonight: the 110,000 residents who qualified the measure in just six short weeks; the vocal and passionate support from our fan groups and corporate partners; the strong endorsements and hard work of numerous civic, business, and labor leaders; and the heartfelt efforts of our alumni and players.
In terms of what comes next for the Chargers, it's just too early to give you an answer. We are going to diligently explore and weigh our options, and do what is needed to maintain our options, but no decision will be announced until after the football season concludes and no decision will be made in haste.
The outpouring of support from friends like you, and so many others, has been heartwarming throughout the campaign and I will continue to be mindful of that in the weeks ahead.
Thank you, again, for believing in the Chargers. Everyone on the team and in my family appreciates your loyal support and continued patience, and we look forward to an exciting rest of the season.
Sincerely,
Dean A. Spanos
Owner - Chairman of the Board
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