National Football League

Report: Citywide stadium vote not possible in San Diego

Published Jun. 16, 2015 7:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

By David Kenyon

The City of Angels is one step closer to acquiring a football team.

According to ProFootballTalk, the San Diego Chargers will not have sufficient time to get a measure on the ballot for a citywide vote concerning a new stadium to keep the team in San Diego.

Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani released a statement, as noted by PFT:

“On behalf of our entire organization, the Chargers thank the City of San Diego’s negotiating team for working with us to try to find a way, at this late date, to place a stadium ballot measure before voters in December 2015 while complying fully with the California Environmental Quality Act and election law requirements. Both groups have spent many hours examining possible options, and we have now discussed these options together at three formal meetings and during numerous informal conversations.

Based on all of this work and discussion, the Chargers have concluded that it is not possible to place a ballot measure before voters in December 2015 in a legally defensible manner given the requirements of the State’s election law and the California Environmental Quality Act.”

Should the Chargers leave San Diego, the clear favorite to land the franchise is Los Angeles. The last time L.A. directly supported an NFL team was in 1994.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, quarterback Philip Rivers has not committed to the organization beyond the 2015 season. So, if the franchise relocates, they’ll need a new stadium and — very likely — a new quarterback.

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