What we can deduce is that many of those OC/LA ticket holders and almost ALL the LA sky box renters would shift their game interest and spending to a more local team. THAT’s a core problem faced by the Chargers with the coming of an LA team.

San Diego is probably the most isolated NFL city in America. On three sides we have no fans (Pacific, Mexico, Imperial Valley). The fourth side will change allegiance to an LA team (well, a lot will). With 3.2 million people and many who don’t care about NFL football (most Hispanics and Asians), we are a lousy place for an NFL team. That’s why the Chargers will leave (either for LA or even declining St. Louis) rather than stay here.

One other issue that needs more emphasis — CA’s 13.3% income tax has made the Golden State very unattractive for the better paid NFL players. We no longer get the top free agents. LA can compensate for this disadvantage somewhat with great endorsement opportunities (look at Chris Paul and Blake Griffin’s national endorsements), but San Diego offers only car dealerships for NFL stars to endorse here.

IF they can, the Chargers WILL leave. I prefer that they become the “Southern California Chargers in the LA area. That’s better than becoming the “St. Louis Chargers” or the “San Antonio Chargers.”