Chargers owner Dean Spanos has already begun working directly with the NFL to finalize the parameters of their deal to join the Rams in Inglewood, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. There is reportedly an incentive for Rams owner Stan Kroenke to have the Chargers join him in Inglewood, as he can't begin selling premium products such as naming rights, PSLs, club seats and sponsorships until the 2017 season.
The Chargers have until January 2017 to decide if they want to relocate to Inglewood and have until March 23 to decide if they will play in San Diego or Los Angeles this upcoming season, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports. If Kroenke can convince the Spanos to join him in Inglewood, then he can begin selling premium products immediately, according to Florio.
The Rams are expected to play in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum until the Inglewood stadium is finished, and reports have surfaced that USC would be willing to let two NFL teams play while the stadium is being built. All three citys' proposals to keep their franchises were considered not viable, and Spanos clearly wants out of San Diego and a rundown Qualcomm Stadium.
The major question remaining for Spanos is whether to become a tenant or partner in Inglewood. Partnership is likely preferred, but that would require the Chargers owner to split the cost of expenses to build a new stadium, according to Florio. The $550 million relocation fee could also be a deciding factor for Spanos, as that could lead him to become a tenant. The Raiders are currently in limbo in Oakland and will have a chance to join the Rams in Inglewood if Spanos doesn't decide to join Kroenke by January of 2017.
Many believe that Spanos would be crazy to not hop on this opportunity, especially as it gets him out of San Diego, but joining Kroenke in Inglewood is clearly a big decision for the franchise owner. The Chargers are reportedly already in the process of joining the Rams in Los Angeles, but many more details will need to be finalized before the Chargers decide to make anything official.
