Report: NFL has discussed idea of Chargers moving to London

The Los Angeles Chargers would listen if the NFL asked the franchise to relocate to London, England, sources told The Athletic's Vincent Bonsignore.

The idea of the Bolts migrating across the pond has reportedly been broached among league personnel, though an actual move appears to be far-fetched.

"We are fully committed and focused on Los Angeles and look forward to continuing to build our fan base as we transition to our new stadium," Chargers owner Dean Spanos told the outlet. "We're seeing progress every day, and we look forward to building on that."

The Chargers are scheduled to move into a new $4.5-billion stadium in 2020, which they'll share with the Rams. The Chargers have been playing at Dignity Health Sports Park since leaving San Diego in 2017.

The club has struggled to secure a large fan base in Los Angeles, with most local fans pledging allegiance to the Rams. Meanwhile, the Chargers have participated in the annual London series twice since 2008 as the NFL has looked to grow the game internationally.

"The current path they are on will not yield results in the foreseeable future," an NFL source said of the Chargers' standing in Los Angeles. "They need to consider something to shake up their franchise. This would give them a major international market and the chance to shine."

Other NFL owners are reportedly concerned with the Chargers' long-term viability in Los Angeles and would support a relocation to London if the team wanted to pursue it.

While logistical issues create a major stumbling block with respect to moving a team to London, the NFL apparently wants a franchise there eventually.

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