Los Angeles acquired their second NFL team within one year as the Chargers announced their move from San Diego on Thursday. The relocation came after residents of San Diego voted against the building of a new stadium.
The now Los Angeles Chargers will host their home games in the StubHub Center in Carson until the Inglewood stadium is completed in 2019.
“We welcome the Chargers back to Los Angeles and look forward to assisting the team achieve success on and off the field,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas.
“With the Chargers and the Rams locating in Carson, Los Angeles and Inglewood – all within the Second Supervisorial District, it’s a win-win for the region that will certainly boost economic development, creating hundreds of jobs and lots of excitement.”
Former Buffalo Bills running backs coach and assistant coach Anthony Lynn became the head coach of the Bolts on Friday.
San Diego spends approximately $20 million a year at Qualcomm Stadium. Moving to Los Angeles could boost their annual operating profit to $250 million, according to the San Diego Union Tribune. Last year, the Rams and Chargers agreed on a deal that would have brought the Bolts to Los Angeles.
The Chargers once played one season in Los Angeles, but moved to become a 56-year resident of San Diego. Their new soon-to-be roommates are anticipating the transition.
“We welcome the Chargers and look forward to working with them to provide NFL fans in the region and throughout the world with an unparalleled experience at the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park,” said Rams owner and chairman Stanley Kroenke. “Our mission is to create a year-round global sports and entertainment destination and this is another important step in achieving that goal.”
Moving to Los Angeles reunites nose tackle Brandon Mebane back to his hometown. Mebane, an alum of Crenshaw High School, made 21 combined tackles this season before suffering a biceps injury in November. Prior to playing for the Chargers, Mebane spent nine years with the Seattle Seahawks.
Upon announcing their relocation plans, the franchise released a new logo that combined the “L.A.” moniker with a lightning bolt, with blue and white as the color scheme. The new logo was the butt of jokes on social media, saying the new logo copied the Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s motif.
The logo’s color scheme was changed to a lighter shade of blue and yellow, reminding several social media users of the UCLA logo. By Saturday, the Chargers completely reconstructed the logo.
The ridicule continued when the new logo was shown during the Lakers/Clippers game on Saturday, the crowd unanimously booed. Chargers owner Dean Spanos and his family were in attendance along with Bolts tight end Jeff Cumberland.
