LAS VEGAS – San Diego State is in the midst of negotiating a new lease with the city that would allow its football team to continue playing at Qualcomm Stadium for at least the next five years, even if the Chargers opt to leave San Diego.

The Chargers, who are still searching for a new stadium site within the county, can opt out of their current agreement with the stadium in January. The facility is shared by the Chargers and Aztecs and also serves as the site for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia and Pacific Life Holiday bowls.

SDSU Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel said yesterday that while financial terms of the new lease between the university and the city have yet to be finalized, the Aztecs have no intention of eliminating football should the Chargers leave.

"We fully expect to be playing football into the next century," he said. "Whatever happens with the Chargers, we need to have a game plan in place and we do. The city has been very forthright about making sure that we're able to stay in Qualcomm as long as we need to."

Schemmel said that should the Chargers secure a new stadium site within the county, SDSU would be relieved of its contractual obligation regarding any new lease agreement.
Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson, during his state of the conference address here yesterday, said the league would do all it could to ensure that a possible move by the Chargers not impact SDSU's football program.

"The question of where San Diego State would play is of great concern to us," Thompson said. "We need San Diego State; we need San Diego State to have a football team."

Asked about the viability of SDSU building an on-campus stadium, Schemmel said: "We are partners with the Chargers and we're committed to helping them find (a new stadium site). The Chargers have assured us that they have no intention of leaving and that they want a new stadium. All of our efforts are focused there."