By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Maybe the Raiders and Chargers will share a stadium after all.
The Los Angeles Chargers — along with their stadium mates the Los Angeles Rams — might use the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium if the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus shuts down NFL games at SoFi Stadium, the home venue for both the Rams and Chargers.
The NFL asked the Raiders about using their stadium in Las Vegas as an option because the league is exploring all possibilities in light of potential COVID-related restrictions that have already shut down stadiums in markets like in Santa Clara County, California where the San Francisco 49ers play.
At one time years ago, there was talk of the Chargers and Raiders both leaving their respective California cities to transplant themselves in a stadium in Los Angeles. That was before the Raiders decided to hook up with Las Vegas, while Chargers moved north to LA to share a stadium with the Rams. Here’s a look at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium and the COVID-19 warnings inside the domed, 65,000-seat venue.
The San Francisco 49ers have already been booted from their Northern California stadium, Levi’s Stadium, after Santa Clara County health officials banned contact sports, prompting last season’s NFC champs to head to Arizona to play in the Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The Chargers still have home games against the Patriots, Falcons and Broncos. The Rams also have a home tilt with the Patriots and the New York Jets head west to play the Rams, too.
COVID-19 has played havoc with the NFL schedule, which has been contorted and flexed more than participants playing the game Twister. The Ravens and Steelers played at a Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh two days ago, while Tuesday nights have also become home for NFL games.
The novel coronavirus is spreading in Los Angeles, where Mayor Eric Garcetti has issued a stay-at-home order.
The NFL is well aware of the COVID-19 spread in LA, which is why there is talk of the Chargers and Rams seeking temporary shelter for their home games.
Speaking of COVID-19 and sports, the National Hockey League is also inching forward to start its season, possibly in mid-January with a shortened season of less than 60 games, according to multiple media reports. The problem for the NHL is that it’s unlikely arenas will have lots of fans and that hurts financially because teams rely on about half of their revenue from game-related revenue streams like ticket sales.