The Chargers' stadium situation is a "long-term issue that needs to be addressed," and the team seems "poised to take a mitigating step," according to Kevin Acee of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Sources said that the team during the offseason will "explore lowering ticket prices, reconfiguring Qualcomm Stadium's available seating and other options for the 2014 season." The Chargers "have to do something." Qualcomm Stadium is "too big, and included in the seats the Chargers must sell to avoid a blackout are some that you would have trouble giving away for most games." Ticket sales are of "paramount importance to the Chargers -- more important than for almost any other NFL team" because they are the "No.1 local revenue source." The team is dependent on them for "a large portion of its bottom line." The Chargers "realize less than 10 percent what the average NFL team makes from advertising on in-stadium signage." The question of why the Chargers "wouldn’t invest in scoreboard enhancements and LED signage to replace the archaic advertising boards is one of throwing good money after bad." A source said that a new scoreboard and video screen at Qualcomm "would run" about $35M. With enhanced revenue "generated from such an investment, the break-even point is at least five years after installation." Installing LED boards also is a "multi-million investment that will take time to pay off." The Chargers "maintain the hope of being in a new stadium -- either here or elsewhere -- before that" (UTSANDIEGO.com, 12/21).
