To Move Or Not To Move: Will The Chargers Stay In San Diego Or Bail?

No Comments November 24, 2016 Chargers By John Stellman

A slap in the face by “America’s Finest City”?

On Election Day San Diego voters dealt the Chargers another painful blow.

Not that the Chargers aren’t used to this sort of treatment.

Chargers Can’t Win…Anywhere!

After all, the gridiron hasn’t been very kind to the Chargers lately either.

Playing just well enough to lose as been there modus operandi.

Sadly, that has been the rule rather than the exception this season.

14 Points!

Their first four losses were by a grand total of 14 points,

Although the Chargers got “blown out” by Denver, 27-19 in week No. 8, their average defeat is still by only 4.4 points per game.

Close but no cigar.

Lopsided Loss?

Yet what happened on Election Night could be considered a “crushing” defeat.

They didn’t lose a game. But they lost the prospects of a brand new downtown stadium.

San Diego voters rejected Measure C by a whopping 24 percent.

The measure would have raised hotel taxes to the tune of a $1.15B contribution to the new stadium and convention center’s projected $1.8B cost.

The ballot initiative needed to pass by a 2/3 majority.

67 % Said “No”

Only 43 percent of the local citizenry cast affirmative ballots.

Nonetheless, Chairman Dean Spanos expressed his appreciation.

“Despite the fact that Measure C failed to receive the 2/3 majority, I wanted to reach out right away with a very sincere thank you for your loyal support as a fan and for considering our initiative.

“The outpouring of support from friends like you you, and so many others, has been heartwarming throughout the campaign.

“I will continue to be mindful of that in the weeks ahead.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

So what happens now?

The owner says that, “over the coming weeks you may hear news about steps that we must take to preserve all of options.

“Any decision however, won’t be forth coming until the after the season.”

And the Chargers have options.

Qualcomm Revisited

There is a coalition that would like to see Spanos pursue the construction of a new venue on the side of dilapidated Qualcomm Stadium.

Had that proposal been placed on the ballot months ago, the results might have been different.

And had both sides been willing to contribute $100M, a simple majority would have been all that was required.

Political Support

Support would have come from Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and much, if not all. of the city council.

Others, such as labor and business leaders, and the tourism industry probably would have been supportive.

But Spanos opted for downtown.

At that time, the San Diego owner allegedly wanted the pot sweetened by another $200M in public money.

Faulconer and County Supervisor Ron Roberts rejected Spanos’ demands, calling the $550M price tag exorbitant.

No Valley Fan

So it’s back to the drawing board.

Spanos is not exactly enamored with Mission Valley.

It’s been that way for eight years.

There are also environmental issues and questions about more development in Mission Valley.

$how Me The Money

The Chargers have concerns about whether the the city and county will actually shell out the cash.

Meanwhile, the poker faced Spanos waits on the sidelines holding that valuable Los Angeles chip in his hand.

The owner has until January 15 to exercise his option or request an extension.

He could share the Coliseum with the Rams until owner Stan Kroenke opens his $2.6B state-of the-art facility in Inglewood in 2019.

If that deadline comes and goes with no decision or request for an extension, the Raiders would be on the clock to make a similar decision by the following January.

Gambling Man

However, Oakland owner Mark Davis has his sights set on Las Vegas.

And negotiation in Nevada are progressing rapidly.

Kroenke however, appears lukewarm over welcoming the Chargers and the league is similarily opposed to the move.

And the NFL reportedly, doesn’t want the Raiders in Los Angeles either.

Kroenke will be given carte blanche treatment in the nation’s second largest market.

And that’s perfectly fine with Davis.

To Little Too Late

Even a last ditch revelation by Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf that a land deal has been reached by a group headed by Ronnie Lott won’t deter Davis.

It appears very unlikely that the Raiders would wind up anywhere but in Las Vegas.

So how does that affect the Chargers?

San Diego presently has a profitable stadium deal with Qualcomm that runs through 2020.

No Hurry

There is plenty of time to broker a new deal.

The politicians and the Chargers are smart enough to know that it can be a win-win situation for both sides.

The city needs the team, They bring revenue. Tourism needs the team. It’s another great attraction to lure visitors.

55 Years And Counting

And the Chargers need the city. They’ve called San Diego home since 1961. Their fan support transcends generations.

And I don’t think the Spanoses really want to leave.

Los Angeles is merely a bargaining tool,

NFL: Don’t Leave!

The league wants the Chargers to remain in San Diego.

The league has all but promised that with a new stadium, San Diego will be put back into the Super Bowl rotation.

“San Diegans love the Bolts,” says Faulconer. “They want them to stay.”

The Chargers aren’t going anywhere.

TRUST ME!

The San Diego Union Tribune Contributed To This Article

About
Latest Posts

John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...