On Monday, Bob McCown of the Fan 590 in Toronto reported that billionaire Philip Anschutz has purchased or will purchase 35 percent of the Chargers, which potentially would set in motion a move from San Diego to Los Angeles.
The Chargers have denied a portion of the report.
“There is no truth to the rumor out of Toronto [on radio station Fan 590] that the Chargers have agreed to sell a portion of the team to Mr. Anschutz,” Fabiani said in an e-mail to reporters, according to Scott Bair of the North County Times. (Too bad I’m not a reporter; otherwise, perhaps I would have gotten the e-mail.)
As usual, the devil possibly has pitched a tent in the details. Fabiani specifically refutes the notion that the Chargers “have agreed to sell a portion of the team” to Anschutz. Technically, this means only that no agreement has been reached. It does not address the broader question of whether negotiations have commenced, or whether they are nearing conclusion.
It would be unlikely that an agreement already would have been reached, given that Goldman Sachs was hired only a couple of weeks ago to troll for potential offers for a minority share of the team. Anschutz may indeed be interested and pursuing the purchase; unless and until the Chargers say “we’re not selling to Anschutz” or “the team will not be moving to Los Angeles,” the possibility of a sale and/or a relocation remains.
Meanwhile, Magic Johnson told Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday that Magic has partnered with Tim Leiweke and AEG to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles.
“I think the owners want a team here,” Johnson said.
Also on Tuesday, Vikings exec Lester Bagley confirmed that both stadium groups in the L.A. area have contacted the team about a possible relocation of the franchise.
In other words, pro football is coming back to L.A. The only question is whether the teams headquartered there will be the Chargers or the Vikings. Or both.
