Qualcomm's 20-year naming-rights deal for the current Chargers' venue "expires in May and San Diego could struggle to negotiate another lucrative pact" based on the team's "uncertain future and the stadium’s notorious deterioration," according to David Garrick of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Experts said that additional hurdles in San Diego "include the relatively small size of the market, the lack of large corporations headquartered here and, to a lesser extent, the team’s poor performance in recent years." The existing Qualcomm deal, signed in May '97, was for a total of $18M. The Chargers' "lack of success in recent years might also hurt" any potential new deal. If Qualcomm wants an extension, the company "would have to negotiate some new compensation for the city." Robinson said that an RFP "would be circulated if Qualcomm decides not to pursue an extension" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/15).
MILE HIGH SALUTING: In this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton notes the Broncos have been "meeting with the industry's biggest sales agencies about the assignment of selling naming rights" to what is now Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Sources said that top naming-rights agencies, including Premier Partnerships and Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment, are "pitching hard for the business." Sources added that WME-IMG, looking to build a naming-rights business after more than a decade without a deal, is "anxious enough that co-CEO Ari Emanuel met with the Broncos" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/17 issue).
