With the "backdrop of Qualcomm Stadium's nearly
completed concrete shell behind him," Chargers Owner Alex
Spanos told NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and a crowd of
on-lookers that San Diego "wants to host the Super Bowl
every five years," according to Barry Bloom of the SAN DIEGO
UNION-TRIBUNE. Tagliabue was in San Diego for the "symbolic
completion" of the $78M stadium expansion and for the NFL
owners' meetings and "did not reject the proposition."
Construction at Qualcomm Stadium "is a month ahead of
schedule and could be nearly complete in time for the
Chargers exhibition season in August" (SAN DIEGO-UNION
TRIBUNE, 5/20). The entire project is set to be completed
by December 15. The NFL's "biggest problems" during the
construction are the new press box and where to house game-
day activities that sometimes are placed within the stadium
confines (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/19).
WAYS TO GO: Also in San Diego, Barry Bloom wrote that
San Diego's Super Bowl Host Committee has yet to "raise a
dime or sign a single contract," despite its goal of raising
more than $3M from sponsors to pay for special events,
staff, volunteer training and "numerous items pledged" to
the NFL for the Super Bowl. Volunteer Chair Jim Brown said
last week that corporate sponsors have made pledges for
about 20% of the total cost (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 5/19).
