In a last-ditch effort to get a stadium in San Diego, the Chargers have started pursuing their options downtown, according to a statement released by the team today. They will pursue this through a citizen’s initiative, with the hopes of possibly putting this to voters in November. In the statement, the team said:
“The multi-use facility, when combined with Petco Park, the existing Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter, and a revitalized East Village, would create an unparalleled entertainment and sports district that will host Super Bowls and will ideally be a permanent home for Comic-Con and a Comic-Con museum. All of our research demonstrates that voters are more likely to approve a multi-use facility that would generate economic activity on hundreds of days per year, including by attracting major sporting and convention events that San Diego cannot now host.”
The Chargers are pursuing this route after deciding against pursuing a stadium plan in Mission Valley just outside of the city that was supported by area lawmakers, but appeared to be gaining little traction. After their joint plan with the Raiders for a stadium in Carson, CA, just outside of Los Angeles, fell through, the Chargers reached agreement with Stan Kroenke and the Rams to be tenets in their new Inglewood Stadium in case the negotiations with the city of San Diego fails.
Here is a statement from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer:
My joint statement with @RonRobertsSD on the Chargers' announcement. pic.twitter.com/hiUAz2tDnp
— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) February 24, 2016
Meanwhile the Raiders await knowing their ticket to moving back to Los Angeles hinges on if the Chargers will stay in San Diego, an outcome Stan Kroenke is believed to be hoping to avoid.
[San Diego Chargers/NBC San Diego/Inside So Cal]
