Just three years after Qualcomm Stadium received $78M
worth of renovations "at the request of the Chargers," team
Owner Alex Spanos said in an interview with TodaySports.com
that he "still isn't satisfied" and wants a new stadium,
according to Jim Trotter of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.
Spanos: "We feel we need a new stadium. We are having our
problems [at Qualcomm]. We love San Diego and we are hoping
between now and the next few years that they (city and state
officials) may reconsider and build us a new stadium." But
the remarks "came as a surprise to" Chargers President Dean
Spanos, who later "stressed ... that neither he nor any club
official has talked to the city about a new stadium" (S.D.
UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/28). Alex Spanos added that he "isn't
looking to move" the team out of San Diego (TodaySports.com,
3/28). In San Diego, Trotter & Posner report that Chargers
execs "retreated to their bunker" Tuesday after Alex Spanos'
comments "set off a firestorm." Chargers Dir of PR Bill
Johnston: "Mr. Spanos feels bad about what happened. It
didn't come out the way he meant it." Johnston added, "At
some point the Chargers and the city will have to sit down
and talk (about a new stadium) ... but we haven't discussed
a timeline with anyone" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/29).
NOT A POPULAR MOVE: In San Diego, Nick Canepa writes
that with his statements, Alex Spanos "comes off as greedy,
ungrateful and jealous of the Padres. What the Chargers
need to do now is not to try to put a spin on this and be
up-front. ... At the very least, the people in this
community who have supported this franchise deserve to know
what its plans are" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 3/29).
