The NFL’s recently relocated Los Angeles Chargers may not need that $4.5 billion stadium currently under construction if rumors of a move to London prove true.
Yahoo Sports cites reporting from The Athletic that indicates the stage is set for the National Football League to soon become international.
The Athletic says it has learned through sources in the NFL that league personnel have begun conversations about the possibility of the Chargers moving to London. While the Chargers are currently committed to the crowded Los Angeles market, the team reportedly is open to at least listening discussions about London.
While such a move is by no means a certainty and would likely be years away, the Chargers move from San Diego where they had a loyal fan base has been widely criticized. The team has had trouble drawing any kind of home crowd to their temporary home at the 27,000-capacity Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
The Chargers and the Rams are set to move into the new stadium in Inglewood next season.
The Athletic's story was not received well by Chargers' ownership.
"[The report is] a lot of crap," owners Mike DiGiovanna told The Los Angeles Times, in a profanity-laced response to the story.
"We're not going to London. We're not going anywhere. We plan to be in LA for a long f------ time. That was bullsh--, that story. It's total f------ bullsh--, OK?," DiGiovanna said. "We're not going to London. We're not going anywhere. We're playing in Los Angeles. This is our home. This is where I'm planning to be for a long f------ time. Period."
