Chargers owner doesn’t want team in LA

Dean Spanos is not interested in another southern California team. (USATSI)

The NFL reportedly believes at least one team could be relocated to Los Angeles in the next 12-24 months -- Dodger Stadium could be in play as a temporary venue -- and it makes sense that candidates for a move would be the Raiders, the Chargers or the Rams.

But it sounds like the Chargers don't much like the idea of L.A. getting a team at all.

“Over the last 20 years, there hasn't been a team in the L.A. market. We have reached out into that market and 25 to 30 percent of our business comes from the L.A. [and] Orange County areas,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos told the Sports Business Daily. “Putting a team in there right now, or two teams, would have a huge impact on our business going forward. So we are trying to protect our business in San Diego. … It would really be harmful to us.”

According to the SBD, this is the first time the Chargers have released information about how much of their business comes from the L.A. market.

The fact that Spanos has now spoken means that a team trying to relocate to L.A. could face opposition from a group of owners. Twenty-four of the 32 owners would have to approve the move before it could happen.

“I have talked to owners about it, they understand. I know the commissioner does,” Spanos said. “[I]f you put another team in there to help that team and you hurt another team, what does that do? Right. If you put two teams in there, what will that do?”

Well, to be fair, there once were three teams in southern California -- the Chargers in San Diego and the Rams and Raiders in L.A. So, it's not like a team or two moving a couple hours north of the Chargers would be unprecedented. Still, Spanos clearly doesn't like the idea.

And it's still unclear whether a team actually will move, though the Raiders and the Rams both would be free from their respective stadium leases after this season and could pack up immediately. Oakland owner Mark Davis also has flirted with the city of San Antonio, while St. Louis owner Stan Kroenke recently acquired 60 acres of land in L.A.

The Chargers also could leave for L.A., but Spanos said the team is still trying to work out a new stadium deal so they could stay in San Diego, where they've been since 1961.

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