Visiting fans have often made their presence felt for Chargers games at StubHub Centergetty images
The Chargers' pricing model for tickets when they move to their new Inglewood stadium in '20 "is an admission" that the team does not "move the needle in L.A.," according to Sam Farmer of the L.A. TIMES. If their "plan all along was to appeal to the budget-conscious crowd, they wouldn't lead the league as they do" in average ticket price at $199 per game, or charge $100 for parking at the 27,000-seat StubHub Center. The Chargers "dropped their prices because they need to fill the new stadium," and the NFL "needs them to fill it." The early results of moving the Chargers to L.A. "are not encouraging, and other owners around the league are concerned." When the team was in San Diego, the Chargers "made it central to their case that L.A. fans love a winner and will make a beeline for whichever franchise is successful on the field." That "hasn't happened so far." If they were "convinced that winning would be a cure-all," the team would have waited to announce the '20 ticket prices (L.A. TIMES, 10/19).
LOCK IT IN: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio cited a source as saying that the Chargers have a "firm 20-year lease" at the Inglewood stadium being built by Rams Owner Stan Kroenke. The Chargers also "hold a pair of exclusive 10-year options after the first 20-year term." Everything currently being sold at the under-construction venue -- "from naming rights to luxury boxes to sponsorships to advertising -- hinges on at least 20 NFL games per year, for at least 20 years." This means that a "premature exit by the Chargers would be the first domino in a cascade of contractual breaches" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 10/18).
LOW ON CHARGE: The Undefeated's Jason Reid said it is "most likely not sustainable" for the Chargers to stay in L.A. "long-term." Reid said, "This really isn't surprising. ... There's really no history there. The calculus for the Rams going back was that, 'Look, we've been there, we have history there,' and if you have a great team in L.A., people will come." Reid added the Chargers are "winning right now," and have a "chance to obviously make the playoffs." Reid: "But clearly there isn't that bond with the city, or the surrounding region I should say, and it's just probably not sustainable long-term" ("OTL," ESPN, 10/18).
