Relations between the Chargers and San Diego "continued their downward spiral on Thursday, with the team saying Mayor Kevin Faulconer has mishandled stadium negotiations and Faulconer saying he’s made remarkable progress while the team only makes excuses," according to a front-page piece by David Garrick of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Chargers Special Counsel Mark Fabiani said that Faulconer "has treated the process like a political campaign and created unnecessary turbulence by verbally attacking the Chargers and the NFL and having his 'political operatives' do the same." Fabiani said, “It’s about not alienating the people who are ultimately going to be making the decision about whether your strategy succeeds or fails. With Mayor Faulconer and his people, no matter what the problem is you get a political campaign. He’s focused on blaming the team, clearly, and to a certain extent the NFL." Faulconer spokesperson Matt Awbrey said, “Unfortunately in response to San Diego’s good-faith solutions, they have only offered personal attacks, criticisms and excuses while they continue to work on their L.A. plan. As we prepare to speak directly with the NFL, we hope that cooler heads will prevail.” Fabiani: "The way you work on this stuff is not by doing what the mayor and his people do, which is constantly attack and constantly criticize. ... In those cities you see a calm, respectful approach both toward the NFL and toward the local team. You don’t see the mayor out there criticizing the owner of the team. You don’t see the mayor’s political operatives out there criticizing [NFL Exec VP/Business Ventures] Eric Grubman, the NFL official who is running this entire process.” Garrick notes Fabiani is "referring to negative comments" about Grubman by Jim Steeg, a member of Faulconer’s stadium task force, and Tony Manolatos, who served as spokesperson for the task force "until its work was completed May 18" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/19).
CALIFORNIA LOVE? In San Diego, Tom Krasovic writes the Chargers "act like they love L.A." But L.A. "doesn't love them or buy the negotiating style" of Fabiani (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/19). L.A.-based KNBC's Fred Roggin said that Fabiani's actions are "hurting the team's image" in L.A. He asked, "Given the way they're conducting business, do you want to be in business with them?" ("Scott & BR," 1090-AM, 6/17).
CONCESSION SPEECH: In San Diego, Kevin Acee writes those who "would like to keep rooting for the hometown NFL team must hope" Faulconer "has the backbone he says he does." If he wants to win -- "which he appears to define as finding a way to keep the Chargers in San Diego -- he will have to retreat." Acee: "He will have to say to Chargers chairman Dean Spanos, 'OK. Fine. We can’t please you. Tell us exactly how we can make this work for you.' Then, and only then, will he have forced the Chargers to show their willingness to work to stay" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/19).
