Photo Courtesy of Aldipix of Flickr.com
Football fans in San Diego have every right to be upset this morning. Their team, the San Diego Chargers, was moved to Los Angeles literally while they were sleeping. After 55 years of playing in San Diego, chairman Dean Spanos simply stated; “I’m looking forward, not backwards.” Later an official statement was released expressing their appreciation for the fans and the city of San Diego, however, the rate at how fast the Chargers have moved (within a day’s time) it can be seen as disrespectful. The Chargers have already changed their twitter name and released a new logo, incorporating “Los Angeles” instead of San Diego. This social media move isn’t allowing fans to digest the move. Spanos went on to say “Today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers.” It seems to me, along with some football pundits, and most of the Chargers faithful, that the front office is chasing the money in this move. The Chargers have notoriously had a phenomenal fan base, with the exception of the 2016 season where talent on the team was sidelined by injury, and the Chargers are in the best division in football (AFC West.) It’s tough to win with a schedule as tough as the Chargers had this year, along with their injuries to key players. Now, San Diego is without a football team and Los Angeles has gained two football teams within the last year. Los Angeles now has a total of 10 professional sports teams within the area (Including Anaheim).
The Chargers are now a transitioning franchise with some great talent. Unlike the LA Rams, the Chargers have a seasoned, underrated quarterback in Phillip Rivers. Barred by injuries, the Chargers will travel to LA with stars such as Rivers, RB Melvin Gordon, and newly drafted DE Joey Bosa. Let’s not forget that LB Manti Teo is a very solid leader of the defense. Next year, the Chargers should be much better than their 5-11 record showed this year, and with the potential for the Chargers to have a shot for the playoffs. Interestingly enough, the Chargers just fired head coach Mike McCoy and whoever is hired will have a tough job transitioning the team, even if it’s only a two hour drive from San Diego. After all is said and done, the Chargers ownership may have made the best business move for them, and professional sports is primarily based on business. However the way the left the city of San Diego, and the fans that come with it, is nothing short of disrespect. Dean Spanos has a lot to apologize for when it comes to the fans. He practically kicked dirt in their eye when they were down. And whether or not he believes those fans are “loyal” or if they “matter,” those fans dictate the amount of revenue the organization receives. A move to LA isn’t necessarily beneficial immediately, as the Rams averaged less than 90% capacity of their stadium in their first year back in LA.
