Fans Upset About Qualcomm Stadium's New Exclusive Entrances

Chargers Fans Upset With Exclusive Luxury-Seat Ticket Entrances At Qualcomm Stadium

Two gates at Qualcomm Stadium this season for Chargers games are being "set aside exclusively for luxury-seat ticket holders," herding fans into nearby gates with "no barricades or security to stop people from taking cuts," according to Matthew Hall of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Fans "call the new policy discriminatory because it pits about 8,000 luxury-seat holders against 60,000-or-so others who must walk farther and wait longer to get into the stadium at a time when it's a luxury just to buy a football ticket." Chargers Dir of PR Bill Johnston in a statement "acknowledged there was a problem" and noted the team's "displeasure with 'trying to move too many people through the gates in too short of a time period,' particularly at the four gates that sandwich the exclusive entrances." However, Johnston "did not mention the gates for holders of higher-priced tickets." Johnston: "We have already implemented several subtle changes as well (as) enhanced communication efforts to help direct fans to the best entry points." Hall notes many fans "complained to the Chargers this week via e-mail and phone calls, raising concerns about waits of up to an hour long, safety, and demanding improvements" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/24).

Supporters Start Twitter Feed To  Rally Support For New Vikings Stadium

sense of renewal: The AP reports the Vikings will offset all the electricity used at home games at the Metrodome this season by "purchasing renewable energy through Xcel Energy's Windsource program." The program allows utility customers to "pay extra to help Xcel generate more of its power from renewable sources." Estimates by the Vikings and Xcel Energy indicate that the initiative "will eliminate the carbon emissions of electricity used by nearly 32 homes over a yearlong period" (AP, 9/24). Vikings VP/Public Affairs & Stadium Development Lester Bagley said that a study done last year by designer HKS and builder Mortenson to rebuild the Metrodome "contains options for a solar-powered retractable roof while recycling and reusing a substantial amount of construction material from tearing down most of the existing structure." If the project moves forward, the team would "seek LEED certification" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/21 issue). Meanwhile, FINANCE & COMMERCE's Brian Johnson reported the Vikings and some supporters earlier this month "launched a Twitter account to rally support" for a proposed stadium development at the site of the Metrodome. Vikings Manager of Public Affairs Jeff Anderson said that the account was "actually created by a couple of 'die-hard Vikings fans.'" Anderson said that the Vikings were "happy to cooperate" (FINANCE-COMMERCE.com, 9/22).