The Rams today announced that the joint stadium to be shared by the Rams and Chargers will be delayed a year. Therefore, the Rams will stay in the Los Angeles Colosseum while the Chargers will play an additional season at Stub Hub Center.
Sunshine, beaches and movie stars: That’s usually what L.A. is known for (besides riots, traffic and droughts). Therefore, scheduling construction projects or outdoor events is usually not an issue, as L.A. averages a measly 18.67 inches of rain per year and a whopping 292 days of sunshine.
No doubt those figures played heavily into the construction timetable announced for the opening of the Inglewood stadium. Stan Kroenke, owner of the Rams, originally planned to open the stadium in time for the 2019 NFL season.
However, last winter’s rain was more than double the normal amount, per the L.A. times:
15.4 inches of rain from November through February, more than double the average amount. That caused deep pools of water on the construction grounds, some as high as 15 feet, and stopped construction work for almost 2 months, thus delaying the project.
Although working around the clock continues on the Inglewood grounds, officials stated that the delays caused would not render the project ready by the 2019. Even if some of the time could be made up, officials stated that they were more comfortable pushing the stadium opening forward to 2020 instead of trying to meet the original deadline.
As a result, the L.A. Rams will play an extra season at the Colosseum in downtown while the Chargers will spend another year at the coziest NFL venue, the StubHub Center in Carson.
Other planned timetables pushed back?
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
If uniform redesigns, which are rumored for the Rams and potentially the Chargers, were planned for the 2019 inaugural season to coincide with the L.A. Stadium opening, will these also be delayed to coincide with the new stadium timetable?
The Rams will undergo a partial redesign starting with the 2017 season, but a full redesign, including their jerseys, was expected for 2019. The Chargers, meanwhile, will wear their San Diego uniforms… for now.
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Super Bowl in Los Angeles?
Also, the NFL awarded L.A. the 2021 Super Bowl. Since league rules state that a new stadium can’t host a Super Bowl, will this announcement cause a change of venue for the Big Game? Undoubtedly, more details will surface soon. Still, L.A. can count on hosting the Super Bowl, as exceptions are not uncommon. After all, New York/New Jersey hosted the 2014 Super Bowl in a new stadium.
Per the L.A. Times article announcing the delay, it looks like the Chargers were ready for this. Per the times article:
“Having been in the construction business, there’s always the risk of delay and that was factored into our decision making,” said A.G. Spanos, Chargers president of business operations.
Looks like Charger fans will get an extra season of up-and-close football in Carson.
Not a bad deal if you ask me.
More details can be found on the Chargers and Rams websites:
Opening for L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District Moved to 2020.
DETAILS: https://t.co/MBcioxXdUY pic.twitter.com/2Lp58yWK35
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) May 18, 2017