Roger Goodell: Ideal for Raiders, Chargers to stay put
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the "ideal scenario" for the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders would be for both franchises to stay in their current cities.
Goodell made the comments at groundbreaking ceremony for the Los Angeles Rams' new stadium, which is set to open before the 2019 season.
"If we get our issues resolved in San Diego, and our issues resolved in Oakland, I think that's the ideal solution, frankly," Goodell said. "I think that's what we would all like to see happen. But there's a lot that has to get done in those two communities to get there."
Last week, San Diego residents rejected a measure that would help pay for a $1.8 billion NFL stadium and convention center for the Chargers. The measure, which needed a two-thirds vote for approval, got only 43.04% of the vote.
The Chargers have a one-year option to also move north to Los Angeles. That option expires Jan. 15, but there is a clause allowing an extension of the option through January 2018.
For years, the Raiders have been trying to get a new stadium built in Oakland and have recently received overtures from San Antonio and Las Vegas. The Nevada legislature approved a bill raising the taxes on hotel rooms to help fund the construction of the stadium.
Any franchise that wants to move would needed approval from three-fourths of the league's owners.
"We'd love to get something done in Oakland, but if they do file a relocation, we'll evaluate that and make sure that we look at it as far as the market issues is concerned," Goodell told the local media in Los Angeles. "We're very thorough on relocation, as you guys know."
– Scooby Axson
