In Memoriam: Chargers' Founding Owner Barron Hilton Dies At 91

Hilton (l) founded the Chargers franchise, and oversaw the AFL-NFL merger in '65 as the AFL President GETTY IMAGES

BARRON HILTON, a "hotel magnate who expanded his father’s chain and became a founding owner" in the AFL, died Thursday at his L.A. home at the age of 91, according to Stefanie Dazio of the AP. Hilton founded the Chargers in the AFL and as AFL President in '65 "oversaw the AFL-NFL merger," which was announced in '66 (AP, 9/21). In L.A., Mike Kupper noted Hilton also "instigated the lightning bolts" on the Chargers' helmets (L.A. TIMES, 9/20). In N.Y., Richard Goldstein wrote Hilton "took part in changing the pro sports landscape." He "entered the sports world as a member of the so-called Foolish Club: the eight team owners who defied long odds in challenging" the NFL by forming the AFL in '60. Hilton moved the Chargers from L.A. to San Diego in '61 after the team "lost some $900,000 in their first season" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/21).