We’ve seen plenty of NFL grudge matches between the Chargers and Raiders. However, there could be a significant twist in the future of this rivalry.
The Raiders’ push to Las Vegas took a hit Monday when it was reported Sheldon Adelson backed out of a stadium deal in the Sin City. The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that San Diego officials reached out to the Raiders to gauge interest in a possible move to the city that used to be home to the Chargers.
With the Chargers bolting to Los Angeles, San Diego is left without an NFL team and a crappy old stadium. However, plans have been in the works for the city to adopt an MLS team. The Union-Tribune says an NFL stadium might be able to be worked into that plan.
Thus far, it appears that the Raiders are intent on moving forward with the Vegas plan.
But let’s just think about the Raiders moving to San Diego. How crazy would that be?
Imagine the reception the visiting L.A. Chargers would get if they played at the San Diego Raiders. That would be a moment.
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) February 1, 2017
It would be the ultimate irony (and pretty epic NFL failure) to end up with the L.A. Chargers and San Diego Raiders instead of the opposite.
— Ben Higgins (@BenHigginsSD) February 1, 2017
A local San Diego rock station put out a poll asking if fans would want the Raiders in San Diego, and so far it’s little a bit less than 50% of voters that would be in favor of it:
Looks like the Raiders are not going to Las Vegas. Would you WANT the San Diego Raiders?
— FM 949 (@FM949sd) February 1, 2017
As a Minnesota native, I find this horribly ironic. In the 1990s, Minnesotans refused to build a new arena for the North Stars. This caused Norm Green and co. to move down south to Dallas. Once the team left, we felt horrible and built a new stadium a few years later to bring an expansion team (the Minnesota Wild) to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Moral of the story: You don’t know what you’ve got ’till it’s gone.