San Diego Chargers might get new stadium

Photo from 'SD Dirk' via Flickr

The San Diego Chargers have long been rumored to be one of the teams that the suits in Los Angeles want to bring to LA. If the current rumors are true, the Chargers’ name can be scratched off the list of candidates.

The Entertainer sources have provided unconfirmed word that Oceanside and Escondido may be close to agreeing on constructing a stadium and mixed-use facility to help fund the stadium. The cities and the Chargers are supposedly in current discussions about forming a partnership that would help find enough room for the stadium and the mixed-use development that is necessary to help raise money for the stadium.

The weird part is that the deals appear to include one city having the stadium and the other having the other facility, with both sharing the financial burdens and successes.

With improvements in infrastructure recently, North County has presented itself as a prime location for a new stadium. Transit officials have commented that the proposed area would be ideal because of the proximity to I-5, I-15 and the new commuter lanes being built, as well as the local rail lines.

A North County stadium provides an advantage because nearly 9,000 of the team’s season ticket holders already come from North County. An additional 9,000 or so are from Orange and Riverside counties. A stadium built in Oceanside or Escondido would allow for a greater pull from these northern regions, as well as be close enough to attract San Diegans from the south bay and central San Diego.

In other Chargers news, yet another game is subject to a local TV blackout.  2,500 tickets still need to be sold for this Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. The deadline is 1:15 pm Thursday, Sept. 24 to lift the blackout.

Hopefully a new stadium (and an improving economy) can save us from blackouts in the future. But in the mean time, go and buy your tickets for Sunday’s game. Tickets are available now at the Chargers’ ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium, at www.Chargers.com and through TicketMaster at 800-745-3000.