San Diego Chargers don't plan to apply for L.A. move -- so who's left?

[Auggie]

nfl.com / 7-2-12

The fire of speculation on the future of the San Diego Chargers was stoked again last week when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 NFL teams detailing the conditions of moving a team to Los Angeles.

With their stadium issues and close geographical ties, the Chargers have been viewed by many as a logical option for the move. According to Goodell's memo, any team interested in moving must file a relocation application between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, 2013, meaning we'll soon find out how serious the Chargers are about leaving town.

SNIP

"No. We are not planning on (applying), and obviously I'm not a fortune teller, I can't see into the future, but I would be very surprised if we were filing out an application a couple months from now," (Chargers special counsel Mark) Fabiani said. "We're trying to get something done here in San Diego, and I'd be surprised if the result was anything other than that."

Ah, the classic denial/non-denial. Fabiani was asked if that stance could change in the next six months.

MORE: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a4a37f/article/san-diego-chargers-dont-plan-to-apply-for-la-move?module=HP11_headline_stack

The Jags are staying put in Jacksonville, as are the Vikes in Minneapolis and perhaps the Chargers in San Diego. That leaves the Rams and Raiders left for possible relocation (the Rams might be able to get out of their lease with the Edward Jones Dome as early as 2015: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1180076-nfl-rumors-why-moving-st-louis-rams-back-to-los-angeles-would-be-a-big-mistake), unless I missed somebody.

[JonLP24]

1. Pretty much any team looking for a new stadium or renovations is a possibility

Falcons & Bills.

Minnesota got theirs. I'm not ready to rule out San Diego. I have no clue about Jacksonville, I haven't heard anything about them wanting new stadium/renovations.

[madinmaryland]

2. I thought Jax was having a hard time filling their stadium. I thought that was why they

were in the mix to move.

[JonLP24]

3. Yeah

Jacksonville was the only possibility based on fan support issues.

The others want new stadiums.

[Auggie]

4. The new owner of the Jags has pledged not to move the team

Plus, they're bound by their lease: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-cole_jacksonville_jaguars_new_owner_los_angeles_112911

Bills: Looks like they're proceeding with renovations instead of building new: http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/4/15/2949966/buffalo-bills-ralph-wilson-stadium-renovations

Falcons: The Georgia dome is only 20 years old, yet the Falcons already want a new stadium. Wow. And apparently, fans are balking at shouldering the proposed hike in ticket prices. Tax-payers will have issues too. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1198324-atlanta-falcons-fans-may-shoulder-much-of-the-cost-for-new-stadium

I guess you could add the Falcons to the list.

[JonLP24]

12. New stadiums

was used as a catch-all that includes renovations.

What happens if Buffalo doesn't get renovations? They probably won't move because city/state often don't let it get that far. St. Louis threats to move are because of renovations. The want the interior of Edward Jones Dome to resemble Jerry World w/ the big screen.

I don't except teams to move in '13, if anything happens especially regarding Bills or Falcons very soon. Raiders seem the most likely if I have to guess.

[joeybee12]

10. My thoughts too...Jacksonville hasn't warmed up to their team...

And LA is a football town....yeah, they haven't had one in a while, but they would fill up when the Rams and Raiders were there.

[bluedigger]

5. Raiders make the most sense to me.

New ownership, etc...

[Auggie]

6. I know ...

and the Oakland Coliseum lease expires in 2013. The city is trying to keep them (http://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/Oakland-nears-move-to-revitalize-Coliseum-area-3387545.php) but it might be a doomed attempt.

It's too bad. The Coliseum complex is well-served by public transit -- BART, buses and AMTRAK -- and easily accessed by freeway. There's plenty of parking. Yet it looks like the Athletics and Warriors are on their way out. And possibly the Raiders. It makes sense geographically but would be a huge waste of property and existing infrastructure, and a big tax revenue blow to the area.

[bluedigger]

7. Where are the Athletics going?

I hadn't heard that.

[Auggie]

8. Co-owner Lew Wolff wants San Jose

But the Giants own the rights to that market and they're not about to give them up. Fremont, south of Oakland, has been discussed, as well as other sites in Oakland.

More here: http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_20651245/oakland-owner-lew-wolff-still-eyes-new-san

[bluedigger]

9. I vote for Albuquerque.

But seriously, as long as they stay in the Bay area, I don't care what specific municipality they land in.

[Auggie]

11. Heh ...

why not?

I bet $elig would love Mexico.