Chargers Chair Dean Spanos on Thursday said that he is "stung by the criticism depicting him as a villain" after deciding to move the team to L.A., according to a front-page piece by Farmer & Fenno of the L.A. TIMES. Spanos, who plans to live in L.A., said, "I’m human like anybody else. I have emotions. I’ve lived half my life there (in San Diego), and we were a significant part of that community not only on the field but off the field. It’s the emotion of the fans. To be expected." Farmer & Fenno report the Chargers will "pay $1 a year to be a tenant" at the Rams' $2.6B stadium in Inglewood that is expected to open in time for the '19 NFL season. The Chargers will contribute a $200M stadium loan from the NFL and proceeds from PSL sales, which could be as much as $300M, "without being responsible for financing the project." Spanos said that he had "left a message" with Rams Owner Stan Kroenke but had "not spoken to him since the decision." Spanos: "We're not best buddies but we have a good relationship. It's friendly." Chargers President of Business Operations A.G. Spanos said that the team has "already received thousands of refundable $100 season-ticket deposits for the venue." Meanwhile, one NFL owner said the Chargers' move to L.A. "feels desperate" (L.A. TIMES, 1/13). Dean Spanos noted it was an “emotional decision,” but added, "At some point, you have to make a decision and move on." He noted the team first had the option to move to L.A. a year ago, but he "elected to take the time to try to get something approved" in San Diego. Spanos: "It failed and I exercised the option to come. We’re here, I’m looking forward to our new home" ("NFL Insiders," ESPN, 1/12).
ALL POSSIBILITIES EXHAUSTED: Spanos said the Chargers "pretty much exhausted" whatever stadium possibilities there were in San Diego, adding it "was time to come" to L.A. Spanos: "The fans are upset and they should be upset. ... As time goes by I think they will understand even more." He added, "In the last 15 years, we worked pretty hard and I can say honestly, look myself in the face in the mirror, basically, and say, ‘Look, we did everything we [possibly] could. ... Eventually, I’m going to be moving up to L.A. This is our home" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/13). In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore reports Spanos' decision is "one he wishes he could have avoided." He "loved San Diego and wanted to remain there forever" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/13). But ESPN's Jim Trotter said, "I didn't get the sense that it was that difficult at this point because he had gone through this for 15 years of trying to get a stadium." Trotter: "When the vote, his ballot measure, didn't pass in November ... the writing was on the wall, and he knew it" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 1/12).
DETAILS OF HECTIC SCHEDULE: In California, Scott Reid in a front-page piece reports Spanos "informed team employees of the move" during an 8:00am PT staff meeting at Chargers Park on Thursday. There also was a "brief call to San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer," whose response was "described as curt." Spanos within the hour was "in the air headed north" to meet with Inglewood Mayor James Butts. The first 24 hours after announcing the move "were so hectic that Spanos didn’t even have time to visit the site" of the Inglewood stadium, only "catching a glimpse of the stadium construction through the clouds as his private jet flew into LAX." After more than three hours of media interviews, Spanos and Chargers officials were scheduled to attend the Jets-Kings game at Staples Center. Meeting with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas are slated for Friday. The "whirlwind first two days will wrap up Friday night at a Westside welcome dinner hosted" by Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss with a restaurant "full of Hollywood movers and shakers" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/13).
BUILDING BLOCKS: In California, Jack Wang reports Spanos, along with family members and Chargers officials, met with Butts "for approximately 40 minutes." Butts: "We talked about the future, them being here and being part of the community." He added that there could be the "potential for the Chargers to build a permanent practice facility in Inglewood." However, Wang notes whether or not the Chargers stay in Orange County after the team begins playing games at the Inglewood stadium "is unclear." Butts: "(Spanos) expressed interest in having a practice facility that was as close to the stadium as possible" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/13). ESPN.com's Trotter & Williams cited a source as saying that the Chargers will pay roughly $12M to "buy out its Qualcomm Stadium lease in San Diego ... then relocate its training facility to Orange County sometime before July 1, when the lease on its training complex expires" (ESPN.com, 1/12).
SURPRISING ORDER OF EVENTS: BLEACHER REPORT's Mike Freeman reported one NFL owner was "stunned Spanos was making" the announcement to move "before apparently telling his team or the city." The owner said, "He acted like our league isn't full of gossips or like the internet doesn't exist" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 1/12). The O.C. REGISTER's Reid reported Spanos, out of "deference to the league," waited until after the NFL’s finance and stadium committee meetings in N.Y. on Wednesday to inform NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell of his decision. He also called Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and Cardinals President Michael Bidwill (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/13). ESPN's Trotter said both Kraft and Bidwill believe Spanos made the move in order to "basically take care of his franchise for the long-term." Trotter: "They believe now stadiums have to be destination points for fans. ... That's why you're seeing stadiums cost over a billion dollars now. It's not because they can't build them cheaper. It's because as one owner said to me, with the millennials now, you have to give them more than just a place where you play football games" ("OTL," ESPN, 1/12).
UPHILL FIGHT? Chargers management "knows it will be a challenge to establish its roots" in the L.A. community, which "speaks to its planned marketing slogan: Fight for L.A." Kraft said, "The team is still within the geography that will allow the fan base to attend games. I personally wish (the stadium) had been in downtown San Diego, but the powers that be didn't want to cooperate" (ESPN.com, 1/12). Kraft added, "You have to manage your franchise well in today’s world if you want people to come. With all the choices people have in Los Angeles with that climate and lifestyle, you have to make it special and bring some sizzle" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/13).
PLAYERS FOUND OUT VIA TEXT: In San Diego, Michael Gehlken reports the Chargers "sent a group text message Thursday morning to their players, informing them" of the team's decision to move to L.A. One Chargers player said that the note "encouraged them to keep their spirits high ... and be ready to take their new city by storm." There will be "more marketing opportunities" and "more endorsement potential" in L.A. Gehlken: "All in all, a larger stage. And a new start following nine wins in a two-year span and four playoff victories in the past 22 seasons is, to some degree, welcome" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/13). In Toronto, Doug Smith writes under the header, "There's A Cost To Be Paid But San Diego's Made The Right Choice" (TORONTO STAR, 1/13).
