Chargers claim they've met 'out' clause

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers claimed Monday they've met the criteria to trigger an "out" clause in their lease at Qualcomm Stadium, but offered to delay doing so until March 1 so a citizens task force can finish studying ways to keep the team in town.
The Chargers, who say they need a new stadium to remain economically competitive, made the offer six days after the City Council rejected their request to conduct private talks with city officials about ending their lease, which runs through 2020.
Dec. 1 was the start of a 60-day period in which the Chargers can notify the city that they've met a complicated financial formula that allows them to renegotiate their lease. Once they trigger, the team and the city would have 90 days to negotiate.
If they can't cut a deal, the Chargers could seek an offer from another city, such as Los Angeles. San Diego has the right to match another city's offer; otherwise, the Chargers can terminate the lease.
The earliest the Chargers could leave San Diego is Feb. 1, 2004.