The former San Diego Chargers announced relocation to Los Angeles Jan. 12 for the 2017 NFL season.
In 1960, the Chargers made their American Football League debut with their original name “The Los Angeles Chargers.” After 1961, the team relocated to San Diego where it spent 56 seasons growing as a team and in their fanbase.
Newfound team owner Alex Spanos announced that the temporary stadium of the Chargers will be at the StubHub Center in Carson, until the City of Champions Stadium in Inglewood, opens for the 2019 NFL season.
Since then, the Chargers have revealed a new logo incorporating the letters “LA” with their signature lighting bolt.
With this move, the Chargers have garnered a significant amount of controversy. Gabriel Lara, senior Christian studies major, said the Chargers move to Los Angeles was bittersweet.
“I’m not from San Diego, but I know the fans from San Diego took it pretty hard,” Lara said. “I’m glad they moved, but at the same time, I feel bad for the fans from San Diego.”
Lara also said that the number of Charger fans is hard to predict because of the relocation.
“I know they lost a lot of fans,” Lara said. “There are a lot of people in LA who might join their fanbase.”
Along with the unpredictable fanbase, Lara said he believes the teams success is uncertain as well.
“They will have the same roster and will be able to sell more merchandise because it’s a bigger city,” Lara said, “but they will be competing with the Rams.”
Ben Lancia, junior chemical engineering major, said he is disappointed the Chargers relocated to LA.
“They have been there all my life and I was raised as a Chargers fan,” Lancia said. “I know that local sports is huge in San Diego even if they are not that great; they have a large fanbase in San Diego.”
Contrary to Lara, Lancia said he thinks the Chargers will not have a larger fanbase with the LA relocation.
“If you go 4-12 and 5-11 in your last two seasons, then you’re probably not going to have a larger fanbase wherever you go,” Lancia said.
Lancia also said he does not know whether or not the Chargers will be more successful in LA.
“They have a new coach and their team is pretty much the same,” Lancia said. “It just depends if they can have their team healthy.”
The LA relocation has created a mix of emotions for the Charger fanbase as many grew up with the team and some watched how it evolved over the years. All fans can do now is wait and see what the future holds for the team and prepare for Los Angeles Chargers season ticket sales.
