The Chargers do not believe they can "win a referendum in November for a new stadium in San Diego," according to CBS' Jason La Canfora. Contingencies are "already in place to possibly join the Rams" in the L.A. Coliseum next year or "play two years in nearby Carson" before the new L.A. stadium is opened in '19 ("The NFL Today," CBS, 9/18). However, in California, Jim Alexander noted former Chargers GM A.J. Smith in a radio interview last week denied that the team has the option to relocate to L.A. Smith said, "The reality is, there is no option. There is an option, but it will never be exercised.” Smith cited sources around the league that "made it clear that the NFL greatly values the San Diego market, and while it will do everything it can to help the Chargers get a new stadium, at the end of the day it is insistent that they remain in San Diego instead of being an afterthought in L.A., and eventually Inglewood" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 9/18).
LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK: In San Diego, Kevin Acee noted the Chargers believe its "Measure C campaign is gaining momentum," but if an outright win is not possible they are "seeking a sort of moral victory, a temperature reading that tells them whether they are sincerely wanted." Chargers Special Advisor Fred Maas said, "If less than 50 percent (vote yes) I think it’s a fairly strong indication of people’s willingness to keep the team here." Maas: "I can tell you if less than 50 percent of the people here decide this alternative, which doesn’t require one dime of San Diego City taxpayer money but will be paid for by visitors, which will assure the team is here, if less than 50 percent say so, I don’t think there is any other prudent course. We can get into a series of hypotheticals about what-ifs. But I can tell you the alternative is do they stay here with the measure that is before voters in November or do they go. That’s what people need to be focused on” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/17).
