The NFL has three teams in California, and they’re keeping open the possibility of moving them if California’s lockdown continues into the regular season.
The question of whether the NFL would relocate California teams (specifically Los Angeles teams) was posed to NFL Spokesman Brian McCarthy by Gilbert Manzano of the Southern California News Group. Though McCarthy did not say that the NFL would move the teams, he also declined to rule it out.
“We are preparing to play the 2020 NFL season as scheduled and with increased protocols and safety measures for all players, personnel and attendees,” McCarthy said. “This includes games at SoFi Stadium. We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this offseason, demonstrating that we can safely and efficiently conduct key activities, such as free agency, the virtual offseason program, and the 2020 NFL Draft.
“We will continue to make decisions based on the latest advice of medical and public health officials, as well as in full compliance with current and future government regulations. Our primary focus will be on protecting the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel and our communities.”
The question stems from a Tuesday report which claimed that the stay-at-home protection orders for Los Angeles County would be extended, “with all certainty,” through July. The Rams practice in Ventura County and the Chargers practice in Orange County. So, their offseason programs and facilities wouldn’t necessarily be impacted by the order.
However, the new SoFi Stadium where both teams intend to play, is located in Los Angeles County.
Still, as Pro Football Talk points out, it won’t be hard finding alternate venues for California teams. 49ers General Manager John Lynch has reportedly already begun looking for out-of-state sites to hold offseason activities.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn
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