Chargers Now Turn to the Voters
The San Diego (for now), Super (not lately), Chargers (ironically, offense could use a 'charge'), followed a difficult offseason with a disappointing start to the 2016 season. A 3-6 record has not excited the fan base or bolstered support for the franchise in San Diego. The franchise that was outplayed by Stan Kroenke, has been scrambling since the decision made in last January's NFL Owners meeting.
The Spanos family had long butted heads with the City of San Diego, yet were adored and revered in NFL circles. That support was 'not' enough to push through their initial bid for a joint stadium with the Raiders in Carson. That bid was trumped by Stan Kroenke's privately financed fortress in Inglewood (ready to open for the 2019 NFL Season).
A shock at the time, the league's support for the Spanos family pushed the owners to strike a conciliatory deal for the Chargers in L.A. While the Rams had already been granted relocation, the Chargers had the option to join. Joining means contributing a $200 million stadium loan from the NFL and personal seat license fees to the construction costs and would pay $1 per year in rent to the Rams.
A potentially sweet deal for the Bolts, the franchise brass hesitated. Dean Spanos announced in late January that the team would remain in San Diego for the 2016 season. They wanted to try again for a stadium of their own in the city they called home since 1961.
Qualcomm Stadium opened in 1967 and has since fallen behind in the NFL's ongoing billion-dollar arm's race. The condition of the stadium had led the Spanos family to use the "lack of accommodations" as leverage to negotiate a favorable lease agreement. The Chargers can end their lease yearly, February to May, and pay an exit fee to the city. That penalty decreases each year, currently falling around $12 million dollars.
While "The Q" had once called the Padres tenants (now in state-of-the-art PetCo Park) and it had also hosted three Super Bowls. The most recent was in 2003, with the stadium starting to show its' age. By then, it was quickly becoming the oldest, non-Lambeau stadium in the NFL.
Flash forward to 2016, it became clear the Chargers were running low on options. Then came a proposal: A raise in the city's hotel tax to 16.5%, a four percent hike, as a means for the city to help pay for a new downtown stadium and convention center.
Ballot Proposal C became official in August, with vocal critics already firing a red flag at the idea of an NFL stadium in scenic, quaint downtown San Diego. A political game of hot potato insued, many public figures have decided to remain neutral on the matter. The city's Mayor Kevin Falcouner initially sent formal questions regarding the stadium proposal. He has since gone quiet, while public support remains low for the measure.
The Chargers consider it a chance for the city to host a "world class facility" for the Chargers, Comic Con and enough to draw attention for national events. Yet many residents (and fans) are upset that the team has again tried to poke the city for public funds.
"At the heart of this contentious proposal, is an inherent flaw." said a spokesman for the #NoOnC committee. "Beyond putting the city in a financial bind; this is a billion dollar sport that cannot seem to afford their own place to play. They cite record profits, but constantly strap taxpayers with the bill."
During this Sunday's game, in which the Chargers beat the Titans 35-10, attendance was sporadic and fans seemed disinterested in the franchise's second home win of the season. The team scored 3 touchdowns in the 4th Quarter to pull away. When Andre Williams ran in the final score of the day, a small swath of fans chanted "Too little, too late" and it turned into "Day late, dollar short."
That could very well be the case when voters decide on Ballot Measure C. Polls open at 7 AM tomorrow, with recent polls showing that #YesOnC is trailing mightily in the polls. To gain approval on a specific tax hike, it requires two-thirds majority from voters. Thus the Chargers need 67% tomorrow in favor, otherwise, the team is left scrambling. Again. Day late, dollar short.