The San Diego Chargers have applied to trademark the names "Los Angeles Chargers" and "LA Chargers" as the team considers a possible move to join the Rams at a stadium in Los Angeles.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office application was filed two days after NFL owners voted to allow the Rams to relocate from St. Louis, where they moved from Southern California after the 1994 season, to the Los Angeles area. The Chargers were given a year to consider joining the Rams in LA.
The trademark applications would cover a wide range of products, such as football helmets, golf balls, mobile apps, deocrative magnets, calendars, clothing and jewelry. The application was signed by Chargers president of business operations, A.G. Spanos, son of owner Dean Spanos.
If the Chargers choose not to move to Los Angeles, the Oakland Raiders have a one-year option to consider a move.
Representatives of the Rams and Chargers met Monday. A joint statement issued after the meeting indicates both teams agreed to not publicly discuss details of the meeting.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke is behind the stadium project in Inglewood. The team will play at the LA Coliseum until the new stadium is built.
The Rams, who began taking deposits Monday for season tickets, and Raiders both left the Los Angeles area after the 1994 season. The Chargers, among the original eight American Football League teams, have a brief history in Los Angeles -- the franchise moved to San Diego after one season in LA, playing home games at the Coliseum.