The Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Oakland Raiders (soon to be the Las Vegas Raiders) are on the hook for a pretty penny due to their respective relocation efforts.
“The 29 NFL teams that are staying put will each receive a gross sum of $55.2 million over a period of up to 11 years from the relocation fees associated with the Rams‘ and the Chargers‘ moves to Los Angeles and the Raiders‘ move to Las Vegas, sources with knowledge of the numbers told ESPN,” via Darren Rovell.
The Chargers and Rams owe $645 million each and will pay out that amount over the course of 10 years, Rovell reports. The Raiders owe $378 million, which will also be paid out to the rest of the 31 NFL teams over the course of 10 years, starting in the year they move (presumably 2020).
It just goes to show that, while fans suffer great emotional distress when their teams move, it’s big business that drives these decisions. Like it or not, money is what drives the NFL, not fan loyalty and sentiment.