The Rams yesterday announced that they have received "more than 45,000 refundable deposits in the first two days of their online season-ticket campaign," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. Each $100 deposit "secures a spot in line for a customer to buy as many as eight season tickets, if available," for the '16 season at the L.A. Coliseum. It is "impossible to determine how many season tickets will be sold as a result of 45,000 deposits." Rams VP/Tickets & Premium Seating Jake Bye: "There's going to be some natural attrition to the list, but we're overwhelmed by the response." Farmer notes the website for deposits is "run by Ticketmaster, and there were some early hiccups because of a crush of people attempting to submit their deposits." Ticket sales are "scheduled to start in the spring." Prices have "yet to be determined" (L.A. TIMES, 1/21). In California, Rich Hammond notes the Rams "might have a full Coliseum this fall" if the initial days of season-ticket deposits "are any indication" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/21).
OH, WON'T YOU STAY? L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said that he would "like to see the Chargers stay in San Diego." Garcetti: "We'd welcome any team to come here, but I love the idea of a great rivalry to the south. We wish them luck." He added that he also "hoped the Raiders would stay in Oakland." Garcetti said his advice to other mayors is, "Don't be so desperate for a sports franchise and don't put your city in debt for decades." He added that he expects the Inglewood project to "produce 4,000 to 5,000 short-term construction jobs and another 2,000 to 3,000 permanent jobs once the full development is complete." He said that the increase in the Inglewood taxes from the facility "will help improve the infrastructure in the area" (ESPN.com, 1/20). In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore cites sources as expressing "confidence" that the Chargers' situation will "get wrapped up relatively soon and most likely with the Chargers in place" in L.A. The Raiders are "eying San Diego -- if that market opens -- and Oakland should something work out there." Sources said that San Diego is a "very real and viable option for the Raiders." It is a market the NFL "absolutely wants to be in, and one the league is comfortable the Raiders would dominate." It would not be a surprise if the NFL "either waived any relocation fee to facilitate a possible Raiders move to San Diego or set one at a price extremely affordable" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/21).
