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Chargers in a Nutshell

By Mark Fabiani


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Note: Mark Fabiani hosted the Café San Diego on Thursday.

Saturday, June 9, 2007 | Reader Al Davis asks for an update on the Charger stadium efforts. This is a question I have answered hundreds of times at the many, many Rotary Club speeches and public presentations we have made in the community -- and are still making, every week. But Al's post prompted me to think that since the stadium saga has been going on now for more than five years, maybe I need a snappy video to help summarize everything that's happened in just a few minutes. My model would be "seven minute sopranos", which, if you're a "Sopranos" fan as I am, you simply must watch on the eve of Sunday's upcoming finale: http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1751464

Mark Fabiani

In the absence of any video-making capabilities early this morning, however, let me try to give you "The Five-Years-in-Seven-Bullets Charger Stadium Summary":

  • It took us a while, but the Chargers finally accomplished everything people asked us to do: Abolish the ticket guaranty -- end the controversy and litigation about triggers -- move the training camp back to San Diego -- put an exciting, winning team on the field n devise a plan to privately finance both the stadium and the infrastructure around it -- show patience to see the difficult process through. Done. Done. Done. Done. Done. And done.

  • Meanwhile San Diego City Hall plunges into crisis. Four mayors in a one-year span-- audits -- investigations -- trials -- indictments -- more trials -- a razor thin victory for chronic Charger opponent Mike Aguirre -- confusion about who's really in charge -- the legal process used to settle political and personal scores -- and on and on and on.

  • No private investor of any size and reputation wants any part of this mess.

  • Despite all of this, the Chargers still refuse to talk to cities outside San Diego County and the Chargers begin to seek solutions elsewhere in the County.

  • The Chargers pay $220,000 (and counting) for the City of Chula Vista to conduct a site study (due to be released this month). The team agrees to pay for a market study of the potential for office space development on the Oceanside Goat Hill golf course site.

  • And all the while, over five years, the project costs for the stadium alone more than double, from $400 million in 2002 to $800 million-plus in 2007. And that doesn't count the infrastructure improvements.

  • When all is said and done, and no matter what you think of the Chargers' proposed stadium financing concept, no one can argue with this basic statement: The Chargers are still trying to accomplish something that has never been done before -- the private financing of an NFL stadium.

    So there you have it n five years and millions of dollars of work in just seven bullets. Now, on to more important stuff: Does anyone have a prediction for Tony's fate on Sunday's final "Sopranos?"

    Mark Fabiani is special counsel to the San Diego Chargers. You can e-mail him at mdf@markfabiani.com. Or, send a letter to the editor.




    7 Comments so far on this story...

    The ticket guaranty was about to expire,leaving the Chargers here till 2020 and with only a few more millions to pay to keep them here, then they would have started to pay the city. There is a problem with the elections system in the USA where only those indebted to big interests can win.

    Posted by gscott | reply to this comment
    June 8, 2007 11:40 pm

    The Chargers claim of "No Public" financing does not ring true. They do DEMAND public financial involvement. Perhaps its not for the Stadium itself, but it is for (Free) land to build the commercial development from which they will recover their investment in the Stadium. As long as they contiue this wordsmanship, they lack creditibily and a real discussion can not be held. The Chargers offer much to the City of San Diego or whom ever their muticipal partner turns out to be. I suspect polls show the average voter just can not follow financial projections, and at this time the average voter does not trust anyone, not the Chargers nor their elected officials, when it comes to financial issues. So sound bite type discussions of NO PUBLIC MONEY-is the focus of the Chargers marketing program. Sad.

    Posted by Oh Please | reply to this comment
    June 9, 2007 1:35 am

    I for one am tired of the vocal minority who make absolutely every effort they can to hang on with white knuckles to their point of view that the Chargers are trying to rip off everyone in San Diego County. If the Chargers can make a business deal--yes, a business deal, where all parties involved, and even some who aren't, can benefit, than I say more power to them. From where I sit the Chargers are a positive resource to the community. Stop your griping obstructionists! If you'll recall, Mayor Golding and crew were responsible for the deal that included the ticket guarantee. Who voted for her/them? Who's voted for the current and former city council who has stained and corrupted America's Finest City? Many of the very same folks who think the Chargers are trying to rip off the community.

    Posted by bpowell | reply to this comment
    June 9, 2007 11:23 am

    As a native San Diegan and lifelong Chargers fan, it pains me to say that the Spanos family should take their team to a city that appeciates them. The city leaders blame the Chargers and others for their incompetance and never tell the truth about revenues they benefit from in association with this team. The current stadium only costs the city money. They should sell the land or give it to the Chargers to develop and collect taxes and other revenues. The ideal spot for a new stadium is right where Qualcomm sits but, it is not going to happen. Sacramento or San Antonio would welcome your organization. Tell SD City Hall to stick it!

    Posted by Ray Williams | reply to this comment
    June 10, 2007 1:20 am

    This is absolute bunk! A privately financed stadium would NOT take free land from the taxpayers. It would NOT devastate entire neighborhoods and ruin the quality of life for the citizens. There is a massive cost to any stadium. They NEVER make money for the host cities, never. You might 'feel good' about a stadium, but look at Petco- $5Million out of the general fund each and every year. Surely that amount of funding could be better spent on safety personnel, infrastructure/sewer upgrades, libraries,you name it. Get over your problems with San Diego and keep the stadium where it is- perfect location and back off on asking for 60 acres of free land..then you might start a dialogue to get yourself a deal Mark.

    Posted by Agatha | reply to this comment
    June 12, 2007 12:15 am

    This is absolute bunk! A privately financed stadium would NOT take free land from the taxpayers. It would NOT devastate entire neighborhoods and ruin the quality of life for the citizens. There is a massive cost to any stadium. They NEVER make money for the host cities, never. You might 'feel good' about a stadium, but look at Petco- $5Million out of the general fund each and every year. Surely that amount of funding could be better spent on safety personnel, infrastructure/sewer upgrades, libraries,you name it. Get over your problems with San Diego and keep the stadium where it is- perfect location and back off on asking for 60 acres of free land..then you might start a dialogue to get yourself a deal Mark.

    Posted by Agatha | reply to this comment
    June 12, 2007 12:29 am

    those who are in favor of KEEPING THE CHARGERS IN SAN DIEGO should join this group of over 3000 fans. link

    Posted by Jeremy Becker | reply to this comment
    August 21, 2007 3:37 am


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