Chargers Quick To Dismiss New Stadium Video Unveiled By San Diego Mayor

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer yesterday unveiled a "slick new video that showcases both the city and its plans for a Mission Valley stadium" for the Chargers, according to Lori Weisberg of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. The video, narrated by San Diego native Dick Enberg is "part tourism promotion ... and part 3D tour of the proposed sports facility." The video arrives "just as the NFL begins hosting a series of town hall meetings this week in each of the home markets where their respective teams are seeking a relocation." The video, which "leads off with several beauty shots of the San Diego coastline, harbor, Balboa Park and downtown skyline, moves into a description of the proposed 68,000-seat stadium, touting a design that creates 'unique seating neighborhoods,' 'unmatched intimacy to the game we love,' and a 'shimmering kinetic facade' inspired 'by our coastal waves.'” The Chargers, who have "rejected the city’s efforts to build a stadium at the current Qualcomm site, were quick Tuesday to dismiss the video." Chargers Special Counsel Mark Fabiani called the video "all fluff and no substance" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/28). Fabiani added the video was simply a "re-election document" for Faulconer. Fabiani on KLSD-AM said that Faulconer has "wasted millions of dollars on a needless environmental review and other stadium-related efforts." In San Diego, Tom Krasovic writes the Chargers and City Hall are "pursuing their agendas, while Chargers fans, caught in between, continue to take their lumps" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/28).

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING: In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore writes it would be "naive to think" Chargers Chair Dean Spanos and his staff "aren't debating ways to ensure they hit the ground hard the moment they step foot" in L.A. One thing they "have to consider" is a "complete franchise makeover." They should announce to L.A. that they are "arriving with a clean canvas," and that they are "leaving the Chargers colors and logo in San Diego." Bonsignore: "Invite fans to jump aboard a brand new franchise, literally at ground zero. Interactively allow them to help pick the name, logo and color schemes." The Chargers would be the "second team in town no matter with whom they partner." But by doing something "bold and unique, they might just give themselves a chance to be No. 1" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/28).