Dean Spanos says Chargers are trying hard to stay in San Diego
San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos and his team are doing everything in their power to get a stadium deal done in San Diego, he told Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“Whatever we need to do, we’re going to do what we need to do to get this done,” Spanos said. “We’re trying as hard as we can. I can’t do it myself. It’s going to take the effort of the mayor; politically we need support. The business community needs to step up. I think once we have a definitive plan in place they’ll get behind us and support us. It has to economically make sense for the voters, and I think (the business community) will help make that case down the line and they’ll support us.”
The statement is a big change for Spanos, who had bashed the city’s effort to keep the team and questioned its ability to complete an environmental impact report in a reasonable time frame. Now, it seems Spanos is willing to work with city officials in San Diego.
Spanos also talked about having the offer to share a stadium in Inglewood with the Los Angeles Rams already in hand, pointing to how this could aid plans to stay in San Diego. As part of the offer, the NFL will provide $100 million to help build a stadium if the Chargers stay in San Diego.
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“Obviously, having options was important, and $100 million from the league is significant. It’s a great starting point.”
Spanos did not say how much his family would provide in private funds, but called the number “significant.” Unlike with the Los Angeles project, Spanos will need to secure public funds to complete a stadium in San Diego.
The Chargers and the city are currently discussing stadium locations in downtown and the Mission Valley.
