National Football League

Roger Goodell shares his 'ideal' long-term solution for the Raiders and Chargers

Published Dec. 9, 2016 1:05 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

On the day the Los Angeles Rams broke ground on their new home, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the possibility of two more teams relocating.

At the Rams' ceremony in Inglewood, Calif. on Thursday, Goodell told reporters that he would like both the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers to remain in their current cities, calling that the "ideal solution."

Via ESPN.com:

"If we get our issues resolved in San Diego, and our issues resolved in Oakland, I think that's the ideal solution, frankly," Goodell said. "I think that's what we would all like to see happen. But there's a lot that has to get done in those two communities to get there."

On the subject of the Raiders moving to Las Vegas and any potential problems that might cause for the league, Goodell remained vague:

"We'd love to get something done in Oakland, but if they do file a relocation, we'll evaluate that and make sure that we look at it as far as the market issues is concerned," Goodell told the local media in Los Angeles. "We're very thorough on relocation, as you guys know."

The Nevada state legislature recently cleared the way for a potential stadium in Las Vegas to begin construction, although the city has yet to select a site or take any further major steps in the process.

The Chargers, meanwhile, watched as voters in San Diego chose not to pass a $1.8 billion stadium funding bill during last Tuesday's elections.

As part of the NFL's agreement to move the Rams to Los Angeles, the Chargers have the option to join the Rams in their new stadium in Inglewood, which is now officially under construction. The Chargers and the Rams previously worked out a stadium-sharing agreement and local-market territory deal for such a move last January – the Chargers will be based in Orange County, should they move, the Rams in Ventura County.

Rams COO weighed in on the recent developments in San Diego:

"We follow their progress in San Diego," Demoff added. "I know [Chargers president and CEO Dean Spanos] and [Rams owner Stan Kroenke] talk regularly. Dean keeps Stan updated on their progress, and we have a deal in place for them to come here if they still want to exercise that option by Jan. 15. The ball is really on their court. They can decide what they would want to do. We would welcome them with open arms, and if not them, we'd certainly welcome the Raiders with open arms."

Reports out of San Diego following the vote indicated that the Chargers, predicting the outcome of Tuesday's vote, have long felt a move to Los Angeles is inevitable.