NFL San Diego ChargersSt Louis Rams

NFL Rumors: Chargers Would Be Foolish to Sue Rams

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Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

At this point in time, the St. Louis Rams seem very serious about moving to Los Angeles. Their current living situation is a mess, owner Stan Kroenke is planning on building an NFL stadium in Southern California and could choose to uproot the Rams, a team that played in the City of Angels from 1946-1994.

The San Diego Chargers, however, aren’t happy about the potential move. If the Rams do attempt to come back to Los Angeles, the Chargers could make a legal stand to bar them from Southern California.

“The Rams voluntarily left the Los Angeles and Orange County markets and some owners may question whether they deserve to return – especially if it means that the stadium situations of the two California teams remain unresolved,” an unnamed team official told the Sports Business Journal.

It appears the Chargers feel they should have first crack at moving to Los Angeles. Not only have they battled with city officials for 13 years to try to put a new stadium plan together (while the Ram’s struggles are more recent), but they depend largely on the Los Angeles market, which reportedly funds one-quarter to one-third of their business.

Plus, despite the Chargers saying they’re determined to stay in San Diego, their patience has worn thin.

“The Chargers are continuing to work hard to find a solution in San Diego, but the team also has a close eye on developments in L.A.,” the official said. “It would be irresponsible for the Chargers not to be taking every possible step to protect the future of the franchise.”

Earlier this week, the idea was floated that the Rams could still make the move to Los Angeles even if they didn’t get the required 24 positive votes from the 32 league owners. The league and commissioner Roger Goodell, however, have a number of options to stop them if the Rams try to move without permission, including cutting funds for the new stadium and suing the team. The Chargers would obviously be a large part of that process if it got to that point.

Just when we thought the NFL entering Los Angeles was a real possibility, the Chargers prove that they’re not going to make it easy — for themselves or the Rams.

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