9:23pm: The teams issued a joint statement to the public (via Chargers.com).
9:09pm: If the Jets and Giants can co-exist in the same building, then maybe the Raiders and Chargers can as well. That’s what the two teams are hoping as they are moving forward on a plan to build a shared $1.7 billion NFL stadium in Carson, California, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.
Both teams will continue to seek public subsidies for new stadiums in their home markets, but they are developing a detailed proposal for a privately financed Los Angeles-area venue in the event they can’t get deals done in their respective cities. Carson is roughly 20 miles from downtown L.A. The two teams issued a joint statement to the Los Angeles Times regarding the plan on Thursday:
“We are pursuing this stadium option in Carson for one straightforward reason: If we cannot find a permanent solution in our home markets, we have no alternative but to preserve other options to guarantee the future economic viability of our franchises,” the statement read.
The Bolts have been moving with purpose ever since Rams owner Stan Kroenke announced his plan to build an 80,000-seat stadium on the land that used to be Hollywood Park. The Raiders, meanwhile, feel the need to join up with the Chargers since they are among the league’s most financially challenged teams. The NFL has long held that L.A. is a two-team market, and it’s almost inconceivable that the league would allow three teams in such close proximity, so this plan could effectively spoil the Rams’ plans if it comes to fruition.