Well, the clock ran out on San Diego. Two weeks ago, Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced that his team would be leaving town for Los Angeles.
Basically, San Diego needed a new stadium. Spanos wanted taxpayers to pay a big chunk of the $1.8 billion required to build the new stadium. It was voted down. So, Spanos took his business elsewhere.
Really, I have no problem with this whatsoever. Sure, Spanos will have to pay a $650 million relocation fee that probably could’ve helped get a new stadium in San Diego. But, it’s his money to gamble with, and the bet he’s made is that in the long run, Los Angeles is the larger market with higher income potential. It’s still a business – it’s all about the money. Bottom line.
Yep – the move is his to make no matter how doomed it seems. I mean, look at the dismal season the Rams had. Look at how little Los Angeles cared about that. Regardless of the “eye test,” just look at history!
Ignore the fact that the Chargers actually left Los Angeles for San Diego in the 1960s because two football teams couldn’t flourish in the market. It’s 2017 – I’m sure things are going to be different, especially considering the manner in which the Rams have absolutely won the city over! There’s definitely demand for a second NFL team!
Seriously, though, the NFL is rolling the dice on Los Angeles suddenly becoming this big booming football town. I have my reservations.
Nonetheless, San Diego fans seem to be reacting as you’d expect! Angry, bitter, defeated, sad….
Of course, it doesn’t help when the franchise seems to be making jabs at you in exit. Just look at the proposed LA Chargers logo:
I was told the Chargers will never use this logo again. It will go down as the shortest-lived logo in sports history. pic.twitter.com/8V5pSa12cK
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 17, 2017
Ah, so they aren’t going to roll with it after all. I just wonder who thought, “You know what? Let’s just make this the Dodgers logo. Teach those Padres fans in San Diego a lesson!”
And, poor Jeff Cumberland….what did he do to get caught up in the middle of this?
No spark: Chargers logo, player booed at Clippers-Lakers.. Related Articles: https://t.co/LZ8sWj6jMk
— San Diego News (@san_diego_news1) January 17, 2017
Also, the Chargers are going to be playing in a MLS stadium…
Chargers Moving to StubHub Center, While MLS-to-San Diego Heats Up – via @soccermusings https://t.co/mtDV2zqdpg pic.twitter.com/NOuVJOPwQi
— SoccerNation.com (@soccer_nation) January 16, 2017
But, how about the rest of the city? How is everyone else reacting to this news?
VIDEO: Stay Classy San Diego…. Stay Classy Former @Chargers Fans (?) —> https://t.co/W6xkEpGYv3 pic.twitter.com/NXOJqZbVHu
— WDAE (@620wdae) January 17, 2017
There’s a petition to not let Spanos call his team the Chargers anymore:
NFL: Keep the Chargers Brand in San Diego and force Dean Spanos to change team name. – Sign the Petit… https://t.co/6l9u9N78b7 via @Change
— Jacob Carson (@Jcars_82) January 17, 2017
@chargersbolts @Antoniomendeza @Chargers HA! Actually real fans would reject Spanos and hate team now. BS! I threw away all Charger gear
— thehoch (@hochalicious) January 17, 2017
A San Diego church is really upset at the Chargers for leaving https://t.co/sACfCfYkpN pic.twitter.com/h011vcPCMK
— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 22, 2017
Look about right @Chargers #FUSpanos @JohnDeanSpanos pic.twitter.com/oHAKQJidEG
— #DumpTrump (@socaltrav) January 17, 2017
@chargersbolts @the_crotty @Chargers And I think the Spanos family has always been more interested in the money than the team OR the city.
— Nicole Nugent (@madgurlygrl) January 17, 2017
@CBSSportsRadio @AlbertBreer @Chargers @NFL Count on it. It’s been fun watching the NFL begin to self-implode from it’s own greed.
— Patrick McGee (@patrickm1066) January 17, 2017
Seems like the organization still has a clear head on its shoulders, though…
Nice… John Pagano finds out this morning in the media that he was fired. The @Chargers never told him…AWFUL!
— Dan Sileo (@DanSileoShow) January 13, 2017
At least some are being respectful…
R.i.P. San Diego chargers
— hayden less (@hayden_moore008) January 17, 2017
The @Chargers PR & Marketing is absolutely embarassing & laughable. They literally are putting on a circus show trying to “Fight For LA”
— Bree (@RIP_SDCHARGERS) January 17, 2017
Moving companies aren’t even willing to help the Chargers move…
Moving companies refuse to help Chargers relocate to Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Chargers… https://t.co/yK9CMEp16X
— Woody (@Harley_Woody) January 17, 2017
And now, San Diego has lost the Poinsettia Bowl…
Tough month for San Diego. First the Chargers, now the Poinsettia Bowl? When will the mayhem end? Aztecs now the best show in town.
— Hundt with Bruce (@hundtwithbruce) January 25, 2017
Well, at least things are going well at the Chargers pep rally…
This is what you want @Chargers? Dean Spanos is the worst owner in sports. pic.twitter.com/Q0XlFitLvo
— ⚡️LA Offseason⚡️ (@ChargersLegion) January 18, 2017
It’s like a bad breakup – the jilted ex is having a hard time letting go. Citing, “you’re going to miss me one day,” and all that. You know deep down as hard as breaking up is, there’s nothing to do but move on.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo, @Bama_Hammer
Follow us on Twitter at @SoBrosNetwork