An investment group headed by private equity investor Mike Stone has "quietly worked toward filling" the Chargers' void in San Diego with an MLS expansion club, according to sources cited by Mark Zeigler of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Sources said that the group will "submit an application for an MLS expansion franchise later this month with plans for a 30,000-seat venue on the Qualcomm Stadium site that would be shared by San Diego State football." With the Chargers off to L.A., things "could move quickly." The group would "generate a citizen’s initiative with hopes of receiving" San Diego City Council approval "by June." A public unveiling of the proposal is "expected later this month, likely coinciding" with the USMNT game against Serbia at Qualcomm on Jan. 29. The group would "demolish Qualcomm and redevelop the 166 acres in Mission Valley," and the new stadium would "occupy about 15 acres" and cost $200M, split with SDSU. The stadium would have 20,000 permanent seats for MLS and an "additional 10,000 collapse-able seats at the top for football." The group also includes former Qualcomm Vice Chair Steve Altman, but the "principal money man is Stone, the founder of FS Investors." Sources said that the group, which has "exclusivity with MLS" for the San Diego market, is "intent on pursuing the first round of expansion despite the tight time frame" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/13). In San Diego, Roger Showley writes under the header, "'Q' Minus Chargers: What's Next?" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/13).
