Andrew Bulieris Sports Editor The San Diego Chargers no longer exist. Chairman Dean Spanos announced on Thursday that the team will move to Los Angeles, ending their tenure in San Diego that began in 1961 before the NFL was even developed. The Chargers will play at the Stub hub Center in Carson, California for 2 years until they join the Rams in the new 1.7 Billion dollar stadium being built in Inglewood, California. The Stub Hub Center only holds 27,000 fans, a huge drop off from the 94,000 seat stadium they had in San Diego. There was discussions whether the Chargers should wait two years to move and move to a brand new stadium while giving the loyal fans of San Diego two more years. The Chargers will likely lose a huge amount of money as their seat availability has decreased by nearly four times the amount. But owner Dean Spanos has insisted on the move hoping to bring new life to a much depleted chargers team that has been on the downfall the past couple seasons. "More than anything I'm shocked," Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget said, per ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I didn't think it was going to happen. I thought we were going to stay in San Diego...I thought something would've got done and worked out...So I guess L.A. is our new home then." The Chargers were given an option to relocate to Los Angeles last year as part of the agreement that sent the Rams franchise to Southern California. Ownership initially had until Jan. 15 to make a decision on relocation, but that date was pushed back to Jan. 17, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Official relocation paperwork has not been finalized, but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other owners have been informed. The Chargers have played in San Diego for the past fifty-six seasons, so it will take some adjustments for the entire organization to settle into their new home of Los Angeles. In a letter to fans from Dean Spanos he wrote “We turn the page and start a new era as the Los Angeles Chargers.” Also writing that “We must earn the respect and support of LA football fans.” The Chargers ended with a 5-11 record but have a stable quarterbacking situation in Philip Rivers, an up and coming running back in Melvin Gordon and recently just hired new head coach Anthony Lynn. The relationship of nearly six decades has come to a sour ending that will leave a bad taste in Chargers fan’s mouths for an eternity.
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