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Raiders fans show their displeasure over the team’s discussions about a move to Las Vegas.
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On Jan. 4, 2016 …
The Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers officially filed for relocation to Los Angeles beginning with the 2016 season. But loading the moving van is never easy, and here are some key events that have happened to those franchises since that day.
Jan. 12
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By a 30-2 secret ballot vote, NFL owners approve the Rams’ request to relocate to Inglewood, Calif., about 30 minutes southwest of downtown L.A. The club will play three seasons at the University of Southern California’s Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before moving to the $2.6 billion Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, a sports and entertainment district being developed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
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Stan Kroenke’s stadium plan wins owner approval.
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The Chargers are given until Jan. 15, 2017, to decide whether they will leave San Diego. The team trademarks the terms “Los Angeles Chargers” and “LA Chargers,” and agrees in principle with Kroenke on a lease to share the Inglewood stadium. The Chargers also announce plans to play in a temporary training facility in Santa Ana, Calif.
If the Chargers decide against the move, the Raiders have the option of taking their place.
The Chargers and Raiders had previously announced that they would share a proposed $1.7 billion stadium in Carson, Calif., 13 miles south of L.A. NFL owners Dan Rooney, John Mara and Jerry Richardson backed the Carson stadium.
Jan. 14
■ Former Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs, a longtime San Antonio resident, renews his pitch for the Raiders to move to his town. The 88-year-old billionaire says that he has a dozen corporate sponsors lined up ready to support the team.
Jan. 24
■ ESPN reports that the Raiders are open to moving to San Diego if the L.A. option falls through.
Jan. 28
■ Raiders owner Mark Davis meets with Las Vegas Sands Corp. President Sheldon Adelson about moving the Raiders to a proposed domed stadium near the Las Vegas Strip.
Jan. 29
■ Chargers say they’ll play the 2016 season in San Diego and pursue a long-term stadium solution there.
February
■ The Chargers announce plans to pursue a November vote on a stadium in downtown San Diego.
March 23
■ The Rams are selected as the 2016 season’s featured team on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which will document its return to L.A. and training camp.
March 25
■ The Raiders sign a one-year lease to continue playing at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
June
■ KCBS-TV in Los Angeles signs a multiyear deal that makes the CBS-owned and operated channel the Rams’ official preseason television partner.
July 30
■ The Rams open training camp at the University of California, Irvine.
Aug. 13
■ Los Angeles hosts its first NFL game in 21 seasons as the Cowboys visit L.A. Coliseum for a preseason matchup.
Sept. 18
■ In the first regular-season home game, the Rams beat the Seattle Seahawks, 9-3.
Nov. 8
■ San Diego voters overwhelmingly reject a ballot initiative to finance a combined stadium and convention center downtown.
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The Chargers played in San Diego for 56 years.
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December
■ Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay tells the Los Angeles Times “there’s no reason for optimism” that the Chargers or Raiders will remain in their home cities. At a league meeting in Irving, Texas, the NFL owners unanimously ratify the lease between the Chargers and Rams. The Chargers agree to lease property for a temporary headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., in case they move. The owners also agree to a waiver that allows the Chargers to borrow half the $650 million relocation fee, above and beyond the league’s debt limit of $250 million a club.
2017
Jan. 1
■ The last-place Chargers rank last in attendance for the season, averaging 57,025 a game. The Raiders, who this month made their first postseason trip since 2002, finish just one spot better, averaging 57,320. The 4-12 Rams averaged 84,457 during their seven games at the
Coliseum, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys.
Jan. 11
■ The NFL extends the Chargers’ L.A. option to Jan. 17, giving the club two additional days, but hours later the team announces it will move to L.A. and play its home games the next two seasons at 27,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson.
Jan. 19
■ The Raiders file papers to relocate to Las Vegas.
March 26
■ The NFL owners’ annual four-day league meeting is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, where it is likely the Raiders’ possible relocation to Las Vegas is decided.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal research
