The Chargers' strong denial last week of a report they could entertain thoughts about moving to London are understandable because the team is continually "trying to get a foothold" in L.A., according to The Undefeated's Jason Reid. The report "doesn't really help ... in terms of building your fan base" in a relatively new market. ESPN's Ryan Smith noted the Chargers have a 20-year lease at SoFi Stadium beginning next year, and he speculated rumors of the team already looking to leave "could invite talk about lawsuits." Smith: "I think the strong reaction is probably justified in that case." However, ESPN's Jeremy Schaap noted he "can't say" Los Angeles Chargers, adding, "That's some kind of indication that there's a problem" ("OTL," ESPN, 11/8).
LOST IN LOS ANGELES? In S.F., Bruce Jenkins wrote one has to "marvel how the NFL screwed up its shiny new" SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The Rams "might make it there" next season, but their 21-year vacancy from L.A. "created a generation of fans with no loyalty or sustained interest." Meanwhile, the Chargers "have no chance," even after Chair Dean Spanos reiterated the team's commitment to the market (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/9). ESPN's Max Kellerman noted the Chargers "might finally find a semblance of a home-field advantage" in London ("Max on Boxing," ESPNews, 11/9). In L.A., Arash Markazi wrote of all the "blunders the NFL made in sorting out the relocation of the Rams, Raiders and Chargers, none was bigger than not allowing the Raiders to move back to L.A. with the Rams and opening the door for the Chargers to relocate to Las Vegas." The Rams and Raiders "would have returned to strong fan bases in L.A." and the Chargers "could have had an entire state to themselves where the Spanoses had roots" (L.A. TIMES, 11/10). CBS Sports Radio's Damon Amendolara noted the Chargers moved to a city that "doesn't care about them" and the Raiders are "going to exit the 'Black Hole' because of NFL greed" ("The Jim Rome Show," CBS Sports Radio, 11/8).