SAN DIEGO (AP) - The San Diego Chargers have notified the city that they won't exercise their 2011 escape clause on Feb. 1.
Wednesday's announcement comes amid recent speculation that the Chargers could be headed to Los Angeles.
Between Feb. 1 and April 30 of each year through 2020, the Chargers can announce their intentions to leave if they pay off the bonds used to expand Qualcomm in 1997. That figure is currently around $26 million.
Last week, a report that sports and entertainment powerhouse Anschutz Entertainment Group was buying 35 percent of the team fueled rumors the Chargers could move if AEG succeeds in building a stadium in downtown Los Angeles.
The Chargers have tried to get a new stadium in San Diego since 2002.