San Diego Chargers apply for new Los Angeles name trademarks

The San Diego Chargers might become the Los Angeles Chargers sooner than you think.

Technically the CSan Diego Chargers have one year to decide whether they will join the Rams as Los Angeles’ second NFL team. They may not need that long after all.

According to a new LA Times report, Chargers president of business operations A.G. Spanos applied to trademark “Los Angeles Chargers” and “LA Chargers” just two days after the NFL voted in favor of relocation for the Rams and Chargers. If the team’s trademark applications are approved, the Chargers can immediately begin selling team merchandise with the new name, even if they’re still playing in San Diego for one more season.

The Chargers have until January 15, 2017 to make a decision. If they can’t get a deal done by then, or choose to stay in San Diego, then the Oakland Raiders would have a calendar year window to decide on LA relocation.

At least at this point, all signs point to the Chargers seizing the opportunity to move further north into the nation’s second-largest market. The team’s current home, Qualcomm Stadium, is one of the oldest venues in the NFL, and numerous reports have already speculated that an official announcement on the move to Los Angeles could come as early as next week.

The only remaining hurdle for the Chargers is reaching an agreement with the Rams on sharing a new stadium in Inglewood. The new NFL arena is expected to be completed in time for the 2019 season, and will become the world’s most expensive sports stadium.