If you haven't heard yet, the NFL is returning to Los Angeles in 2016. During a vote on Tuesday night, the NFL's 32 owners officially approved the Rams' relocation bid in a 30-2 vote.
The vote means that the Rams will be playing in Los Angeles starting this year. However, what we didn't find out on Tuesday is where the Chargers will be playing in 2016.
When the NFL's next regular season kicks off on Sept. 8, the Chargers could be in L.A. playing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or they could be in San Diego playing where they usually play, at Qualcomm Stadium.
For an explanation of everything, here are three key things to know about the Chargers' possible move.
1. When will we know where the Chargers are playing in 2016? The NFL has given the Chargers until March 23 to decide where they want to play next year. If the Chargers can work out a partnership with the Rams, then there's a good chance the team could be headed to L.A. for the 2016 season.
However, if the Chargers can't figure out a deal with the Rams that makes both sides happy, then the team can remain in San Diego for the 2016 season.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos wasn't tipping his hand on Tuesday when he was asked what he plans on doing.
"I'm going to look at all our options," Spanos said. "I'm going to take a little bit of time here. We do have some options. It's very difficult to say right now.
2. If the Chargers stay in San Diego for 2016, they could still end up in L.A. The March 23 deadline that the NFL gave the Chargers is one of two deadlines involved in this situation.
If the Chargers decide to stay in San Diego to negotiate with the city, but nothing comes out of those negotiations, then the team can simply move to L.A. after the 2016 season. The NFL has given the team a final deadline of Jan. 15, 2017 to make an L.A. decision. If the Chargers haven't decided by then, they're out no matter what and the option to move to L.A. will be given to the Raiders.
Kevin Faulconer, the mayor of San Diego, is hoping that the team will remain in his city.
"NFL owners rejected the Chargers' bid to move to Carson. If Mr. Spanos has a sincere interest in reaching a fair agreement in San Diego, we remain committed to negotiating in good faith," Faulconer said. "We are not interested in a charade by the Chargers if they continue to pursue Los Angeles."
The Chargers cut off negotiations with the city in early June. In the last set of negotiations, the city laid out plans for a $1.1 billion stadium that would require $121 million in contributions from both county and city taxpayers for a total of $242 million. The city would also chip in another $225 million by selling land around Qualcomm Stadium. The rest of the money would come from the Chargers and NFL.
To get the $242 million from taxpayers, San Diego voters would have to approve those funds, something that they might be inclined to do if the Chargers remain in San Diego for 2016. The city is hoping to hold a vote in June.
There's also an extra incentive for the Chargers to stay. If the Chargers decide to stay in San Diego, the NFL has agreed to kick in an extra $100 million into any potential stadium project, along with the $200 million that the NFL offers to any city building a new stadium.
The other good news for San Diego is that Giants co-owner Steve Tisch said he believes it's very "unlikely" that the Chargers will play in L.A. in 2016.
3. If San Diego passes a stadium referendum, that doesn't mean the Chargers are staying. Now, here's where things get kind of weird. If San Diego voters were to approve funds for a new stadium, that would actually help the Chargers in two cities. For one, it would help the Chargers in San Diego because they'd be getting public money toward a new stadium.
However, if would also help the Chargers in L.A. because if San Diego approves public funding, the NFL is going to give the Chargers an extra year to think about a possible move.
From the NFL's ruling on Tuesday night.
"The option [for the Chargers to move to L.A.] shall expire on January 15, 2017, unless a referendum to approve public financing for a new stadium in San Diego is approved prior to November 15, 2016, in which case the Los Angeles Opportunities Committee may, at the Chargers’ request, extend the option up to January 15, 2018."
Basically, if the city of San Diego approves stadium funding, the Chargers can request an extra year to make their decision. That means the Chargers can tell San Diego, "Sweeten the plan, or we're leaving."
The good news for San Diego is that if the city does pass a stadium financing plan and the Chargers do leave, it's possible the city could entice another team since the stadium financing plan would've already been voted on.
If San Diego offers money to build a stadium and the Chargers pass that offer up, there's a good chance another team (LIKE THE RAIDERS) would gladly take that money.
Here's a video the city of San Diego released about a possible new stadium in October.
