As San Diego looks to finalize a $18M naming rights
deal from Qualcomm Corp., stadium expansion opponents "are
moving" to appeal last week's court decision that "cleared
the way" for the project to continue, according to Barry
Bloom of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Opponents say that
they "feel betrayed" by the City Council, which had said
that it would put the final portion of the expansion deal
with the Chargers "before the voters." Both city and
Qualcomm officials say that a special election "could doom"
the proposal. Since there is no expenditure of public funds
in the Qualcomm deal, City Council members said a special
election is not necessary. The City Council yesterday
"voted unanimously" on preliminary points of the deal, and
decided the facility will be called "Qualcomm Stadium" and
the complex and playing surface will be named "Jack Murphy
Field." But Mayor Susan Golding "cautioned" the deal could
be dead if there is an election: "Qualcomm will not be a
participant if that occurs. There won't be anything to be
put on the ballot" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/26).
