Amid a "sizable number of opposing fans" once again taking hold in the Chargers' 27,000-seat stadium, the NFL is "dismissing any sense of panic about the franchise's relocation," according to Lorenzo Reyes of USA TODAY. Despite the questions over the "long-term viability of two franchises" in the L.A. market, the league denied a suggestion that the NFL and Chargers would "consider a possible return to San Diego." NFL Exec VP/Communications Joe Lockhart said, "I’ve seen it on the internet. There are no discussions of returning to San Diego from the league or from the club." He said Chargers Chair Dean Spanos has "talked about this being a process. About getting in and doing the hard work of connecting with the new community. That’s what they’re doing" (USA TODAY, 10/4). In L.A., Mike DiGiovanna wrote of the Chargers' marketing efforts, "How's that whole 'Fight for L.A.' thing working for you? Yeah, not so good." Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said of L.A. fans, "They want results, just like we want results. I believe when we bring them those results, all that stuff will work itself out." Lynn added, "If we're sitting here 3-1, we're not having this conversation" (L.A. TIMES, 10/3).
WHO'S WATCHING? In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes ranking the NFL games from Week 4 in the L.A. TV market, Eagles-Chargers on Fox was "at the bottom (or tied for fifth) for the least-watched game." Rams-Cowboys on Fox was second with a 9.1 rating, behind only NBC's Colts-Seahawks on "SNF," which garnered a 10.1. Rounding out the top six games in the market were CBS' Raiders-Broncos (9.0), CBS' Steelers-Ravens (3.6), Eagles-Chargers (3.2) and Fox' Saints-Dolphins game from London (2.8). The Chargers head to KCAL-CBS this Sunday so as to "not collide with the Rams’ game" on sister station KCBS. That is another one of those "network compromises to make up for last week, and Fox is happy to do it so it can carry a much better contest to the nation in the afternoon window." To make it fair, Fox also "gets to do a game up against the Chargers on CBS, who can’t catch a break even in the early window' (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/4). NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy said that he did "not have information" as to whether the 3.2 rating for Eagles-Chargers was the lowest game rating on record for an NFL home market. In San Diego, Kevin Acee noted since '00, the Chargers "never achieved a season rating" below 20.0 in the local market. From '04-14, the Chargers were "never below" a 26.0 rating in their home market, and the "high in that period" was a 31.6 rating in '13. Last year, "following two seasons of relentless news about their possible relocation," Chargers' games averaged a 24.4 rating (SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.com, 10/3).
WEIGHING IN: L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke said the Chargers "can't say they weren't warned" about relocating to a city that "didn't want them or need them." He added, "They're in no-man's land." Plaschke: "The fans that are there at their game right now are Chargers fans who drive up from San Diego. There's virtually no L.A. support." The Undefeated's Clinton Yates said playing at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center was "supposed to be one [of] the most intimate experiences you could get in the league, and as it's turned out, it really is just a showcase for the fact they should have never left San Diego" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 10/2). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said "clearly the Chargers have not made inroads" in L.A. ESPN's Michael Wilbon said home-field advantage is "something that is developed and earned and you don't get it just by dropping some new team into a spot." Kornheiser said of Spanos, "This is a very bad situation and blamed on one guy, and one guy only" ("PTI," ESPN, 10/2). ESPN's Bob Ley: "The Chargers continue to play home games in name only" ("OTL," ESPN, 10/2).
LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL: The San Diego Union-Tribune's Acee said of the Chargers in L.A., "What is the long play here and how can it possibly get better when they move to the bigger stadium in Inglewood that they'll share with the Rams? L.A. does not care. It's something that we suspected but this is worse than anybody, including those in the organization, no matter what they say, could imagine, and it is wearing on the players" ("OTL," ESPN, 10/2). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said, "They have a genuine problem. The city of L.A. doesn't want the Chargers." He added, "The fans are speaking as loudly as they can by not showing up in droves." Greenberg: "They keep talking about putting a team in London. Is that the team you put in London rather than start a new team? The last thing they need is expansion. If you want a team in London, put the Chargers there" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 10/3)
