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Chargers will be staying in San Diego for the 2016 season
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File: A San Diego Chargers goes up for the ball against an Oakland Raiders player on Dec. 22, 2013 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
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The Chargers are staying in San Diego for the 2016 season, according to a statement from San Diego Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos, rather than moving to the Los Angeles area and sharing a stadium with the Rams. Spanos also said that he hopes the Chargers will stay in San Diego for the long-term — in a new stadium.
"This has been our home for 55 years, and I want to keep the team here and provide the world-class stadium experience you deserve," Spanos said in the statement.
Spanos noted that they had an option and an agreement with the Rams to go to Inglewood.
He said he had met with officials and looked forward to working with them and the business community to "resolve our stadium dilemma."
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“The Los Angeles Rams have reached an agreement with the San Diego Chargers to join us in the new Inglewood Stadium, if they choose to exercise their option to relocate within the next year," Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. "We look forward to partnering with the Chargers in Inglewood, but the decision of course is Dean’s to make.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reminded fans Friday afternoon league owners would help sweeten the pot for the Chargers to stay.
"NFL ownership has committed $300 million to assist in the cost of building a new stadium in San Diego," Goodell said. "I have pledged the league's full support in helping Dean to fulfill his goal."
Goodell was referring to the $100 million the Raiders or Chargers would get for staying that the NFL announced last month, in addition to a $200 million loan from the league available to each team.
"We are very supportive of the decision by Dean Spanos to continue his efforts in San Diego and work with local leaders to develop a permanent stadium solution," Goodell added.
Friday's announcement comes after the Chargers made several moves that suggested to many they were preparing for a move, such as removing "San Diego" from their social media logo, submitting plans for a practice and training facility in Orange County to the city of Santa Ana, and applying for trademarks for "The Los Angeles Rams" and "The LA Rams."
The Chargers have until next January to exercise their option to move to Inglewood. If they don't exercise it, the Oakland Raiders are waiting in the wings.
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This story has been updated.
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