Chargers say vote on new San Diego stadium isn't possible before Dec. 15 deadline
The San Diego Chargers don't believe a public vote on a new stadium in San Diego is feasible ahead of the NFL's Dec. 15 deadline to apply for relocation, according to a statement the team released Tuesday.
Carson City Council approved a $1.7 billion stadium to be dually owned by the Chargers and Oakland Raiders on April 21. With both teams trying to move to Los Angeles County, relocation is a serious possibility for the Chargers.
Mark Fabiani, special counsel to the Chargers, released the following statement:
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. The various options that we have explored with the City’s experts all lead to the same result: Significant time-consuming litigation founded on multiple legal challenges, followed by a high risk of eventual defeat in the courts.
The Chargers are committed to maintaining an open line of communication with the City's negotiators as we move through the summer and leading up to the special August meeting of National Football League owners. That meeting may provide important information about what is likely to occur during the remainder of 2015.
With the Chargers' statement, it appears the team isn't considering public financing for a new project from the city of San Diego. Although nothing's been set in stone, the Chargers' move to Los Angeles County may be a reality after the 2015 season.