Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
As the Las Vegas Raiders make their return to Southern California for training camp in 2024, it has reportedly ruffled the feathers of two teams who hold their respective camps nearby.
Per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are not pleased with the Raiders moving their training camp to Costa Mesa, California, which is less than 75 miles away from the Rams’ and Chargers’ camp locations.
That distance is significant because it prohibits the Raiders from being able to market locally, and from having fans attend practice, per league policy.
But league sources acknowledged the Raiders, with their popularity, setting up shop where two other teams do their business, did not go over well with either the Rams or Chargers. Even as there was a “more the merrier” vibe for camp, a league source said. “That’s the upside,” the source added, “more teams.”
Officials with the Rams and Chargers declined to comment.
“Every club has an exclusive home territory extending 75 miles in all directions from the exterior corporate borders of the city for which it holds a franchise,” league policy states. “If another club holds its preseason training camp within that exclusive territory then it cannot be marketed locally.”
“That’s where we’re having camp, but the Chargers and Rams have the ability to block us from [promoting]. It’s fine,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said. “It would be nice if all the fans could be there, but, whatever. Like I said, the Chargers and Rams have that ability.”
While the general public will not be allowed in, Gutierrez notes that “some VIPs, select season-ticket holders, sponsors and invited guests will be allowed into the Jack Hammett Sports Complex, about 40 miles south of SoFi Stadium.”
Head coach Antonio Pierce pushed for the move, citing a better situation for team bonding. Davis was fully on board.
“It’s about team bonding,” Pierce said. “When I played … we never stayed at our facility. I was used to traveling and going away and kind of [being] bunkered up, 90 or 85 players at a time, or whatever it was. And team bonding, getting together and getting to know one another, to get away from all the distractions. It’s all about ball. Just ball.”
The Raiders, Chargers and Rams are three of five teams within 100 miles of one another, as the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys are also nearby.
To make up for their fans not being able to attend training camp practices in Costa Mesa, the Raiders will hold a pair of open practices at Allegiant Stadium in August.
Author(s)
After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.
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