San Diego Chargers, mayor put on full-court press to keep team in San Diego

Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Stephen Knox
Stephen Knox

The Chargers are looking to the public to help them remain in San Diego.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer, quarterback Phillip Rivers and retired defensive end Luis Castillo all talked today at an event.

“I can’t imagine the Chargers not being the San Diego Chargers,” Rivers said via the team’s Twitter account.

The goal of the event was to get the citizens of San Diego to vote yes on ballot measure C on election day in November. That measure would raise hotel taxes if the Chargers can raise $650 million in private funds to build a new stadium in downtown San Diego.

The Chargers, St. Louis Rams and Oakland Raiders were candidates to move to Los Angeles after last season. A new stadium is being built in Inglewood, Calif. and two teams can fill it.

The Rams have already returned, and are playing at the famous Los Angeles Coliseum until the new arena is ready. If Los Angeles wants to add another team it looks like it would have to be the Chargers. Las Vegas has already approved a stadium deal for the Raiders to have their own stadium.

Faulconer told the audience it is time to take the next step to keep the Chargers in San Diego.