Chargers to stay in San Diego for 2011

The Chargers have announced they will be staying in San Diego through 2011.

The mayor’s office reports that Dean Spanos notified them that “the Chargers would not in 2011 exercise the exit provision in its [Qualcomm] lease with the city.”

Mayor Sanders said in the statement, “I very much appreciate the commitment that Dean, his family and the Chargers have shown throughout the team’s eight-year search for a new stadium. The Chargers understand, and we all do, the tremendous challenges facing our region during these historically difficult economic times.  But, even in the face of these challenges, we will be able to work through 2011 with the Chargers on a stadium solution downtown that works for both taxpayers and the team.”

“We have explored every possible option in the County,” said Chargers stadium point person Mark Fabiani. “Now the downtown San Diego site represents our best remaining shot at a solution.”

The Chargers have already conducted an extensive site analysis. The next step is for the Chargers, the NFL and the City of San Diego to work together to determine if a measure can be placed on the 2012 ballot.

Fabiani also addressed the recent rumors about a new stadium in downtown Los Angeles.

“Every time a serious new stadium idea emerges from Los Angeles, the Chargers — along with several other teams — are caught up in the rumor mill. It happened two-and-a-half years ago when Ed Roski proposed his new stadium in the City of Industry, and it is happening again now.  But as we know better than most, it’s extraordinarily difficult to build a new football stadium anywhere in California.”

So the news at this point is that the Chargers will be staying — for now. And more great news for this weekend, the local blackout has been lifted for the Chargers vs. Chiefs game this Sunday. Kickoff is 1:15 pm and the game will be aired on KFMB-TV (Channel 8) and in Los Angeles by KCBS-TV (Channel 2).