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Report: The Chargers are not leaving Los Angeles for at least 20 years

Ryan Young
Staff writer

NFL owners reportedly discussed the Chargers’ viability in Los Angeles this week, just two years into the team’s move up the West Coast.

And it’s easy to understand why. The team is struggling to sell personal seat licenses, has the lowest average attendance by far among NFL teams — in part due to their tiny stadium — and has already lowered their revenue goals by $250 million for when they move to the new shared stadium in Inglewood in 2020.

With their early struggles in Los Angeles, and NFL owners acknowledging that struggle, many have started looking for a new city for the Chargers to call home — whether that’s a move back to San Diego or elsewhere.

Despite early struggles in the city, the Chargers reportedly have a firm 20-year lease to stay in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
Despite early struggles in the city, the Chargers reportedly have a firm 20-year lease to stay in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)

Apparently, though, that’s a waste of time. The Chargers aren’t leaving Los Angeles anytime soon.

According to Mike Florio of NBC, the Chargers have a firm 20-year lease at the new stadium in Inglewood. The team also holds two exclusive 10-year options after the initial 20 years is up.

The stadium, which is being built by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, is expected to open for the 2020 season. The Spanos family, who own the Chargers, had to pay very little when moving the team from San Diego in 2016. They don’t have any construction costs on the new stadium, and have to pay only the $650 million relocation fee over 10 years.

The Rams have also been selling sponsorship and advertising for the stadium based on two different teams playing there for the entirety of the lease, meaning it will be extremely difficult for the Chargers to break that contract.

Sure, they may be struggling now on multiple fronts in the nation’s second-largest market. But the Chargers are in Los Angeles for the long term.

It’s going to take a significant turn of events for the team to leave before 2040, if not 2060 — no matter how bad it may get.

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