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Why does Los Angeles have two NFL teams?

Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States.

They are also one of only two cities in the US that have two NFL teams but it hasn't always been that way.

Los Angeles Rams and Chargers during a pre-season game
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The history of the NFL in Los Angeles is quite unique.

Both the Chargers and Rams had spells in Los Angeles before leaving the city at different times and both announcing their return in 2016.

The Los Angeles Rams were initially founded in 1936 in Cleveland and played in the AFL for one season before joining the NFL in 1946.

In 1946 the team then moved to Los Angeles and the city became the first in the West Coast to host an NFL team as the Rams played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

However, after the 1994 season the Rams left LA and moved to St. Louis and five seasons later, the St. Louis Rams, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, won their first Super Bowl in 2000.

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Meanwhile the Los Angeles Chargers were founded in 1959 by Barron Hilton.

In 1961, the team also left Los Angeles and moved 120 miles south to San Diego.

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As part of the AFL, the Chargers won four AFL West titles and one AFL championship.

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How did Los Angeles end up with two teams?

A population of four million, gives LA a market that the NFL can capitalise on.

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