Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Sally Roush’s suite life

SDSU brass parties hearty in exclusive stadium skyboxes

SDSU interim president Sally Roush
SDSU interim president Sally Roush

Sally Roush — who took over as interim honcho of San Diego State University following the departure of Elliott Hirshman in June, just as the fight over who would rule what used be called Qualcomm Stadium hit a boil, — knows how to party.

Elliot Hirshman

"In a luxury air-conditioned skybox, just before kickoff, I caught up with Interim President Sally Roush," related the Union-Tribune’s Logan Jenkins in a September 5 column about university merrymaking before the school's football game against UC Davis.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“This is where we should [have] been watching all these years,” said Roush to Jenkins, "alluding to State’s excluded second-class status when high-rolling NFLers ruled the posh aeries."

Noted the columnist, "In years past, State hosted movable feasts in the parking lot, an indignity forced upon the university by sky-high prices for suites and catering service. For Aztec boosters, the Chargers leaving town is a step up in status."

In the heyday of the Chargers, the stadium's skyboxes — except the notoriously well-lubricated city-council suite — were controlled by the team-owning Spanos clan.

The NFL team raked in millions from renting to a well-heeled corporate clientele, while city taxpayers picked up a sizable annual maintenance tab and additional costs. Those included $25,564 for "carpet replacement and installation for 32 suites at the Stadium, per contractual obligations with the Chargers," according to an August 2014 invoice retrieved from city hall.

Kevin Faulconer

A September 2012 purchase order showed that $44,000 was spent for "carpet cleanings as needed for Stadium Suites, Clubs, Press Levels per contractual obligation with Chargers."

With the team's departure for Los Angeles, control of the suites has reverted to the city, under the rule of Republican mayor Kevin Faulconer, but the good life for the high and mighty continues.

According to a September 14 agreement obtained from city hall following a request under the California Public Records Act, the city's Real Estate Assets Department has retained the San Diego Bowl Game Association to "sell all suites inside Qualcomm Stadium for all events held inside the Stadium."

The contract, which runs through December of next year, gives the nonprofit association a hefty 30 percent of "sales of suites at the stadium after credit card fees have been deducted." The city has also agreed to "provide complimentary parking passes for suite license holders for all stadium events (approximately one parking pass for every four seats)."

Duke Little

To sweeten the deal further, city hall has thrown in 5 percent of "revenues generated for Stadium signage." The agreement goes on to say that the bowl association may sell the suites "for an entire season or for individual events, at bowl's discretion." The city is "responsible for any and all maintenance and upkeep of all suites in use."

A well-heeled cohort is already taking advantage, according to invoices provided by the city. An "8 event suite" rental set developer Mike Ibe's Western Devcon back $21,120, per an August 25 invoice. On August 3, Bank of America was billed $48,400 for a "10 event suite."

San Diego State Sports Properties, an offshoot of SDSU run by alumnus Duke Little, was invoiced $20,561 on September 18 to cover "balance for seasonal suite."

In all, despite concerns by some of lagging general attendance at the games, SDSU and its affiliates occupied 12 luxury suites, per a listing of tenants for the Davis game. The total included one each for executive staff; Aztec Shops; former president Tom Day; the alumni association; student affairs; business affairs; and directors' cabinet.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

San Diego Reader Best of 2024

A world-class museum, best drinking, best eating, best shops, ups and downs of Del Cerro, parent-friendly playgrounds, peaceful, eaze-y feeling
SDSU interim president Sally Roush
SDSU interim president Sally Roush

Sally Roush — who took over as interim honcho of San Diego State University following the departure of Elliott Hirshman in June, just as the fight over who would rule what used be called Qualcomm Stadium hit a boil, — knows how to party.

Elliot Hirshman

"In a luxury air-conditioned skybox, just before kickoff, I caught up with Interim President Sally Roush," related the Union-Tribune’s Logan Jenkins in a September 5 column about university merrymaking before the school's football game against UC Davis.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“This is where we should [have] been watching all these years,” said Roush to Jenkins, "alluding to State’s excluded second-class status when high-rolling NFLers ruled the posh aeries."

Noted the columnist, "In years past, State hosted movable feasts in the parking lot, an indignity forced upon the university by sky-high prices for suites and catering service. For Aztec boosters, the Chargers leaving town is a step up in status."

In the heyday of the Chargers, the stadium's skyboxes — except the notoriously well-lubricated city-council suite — were controlled by the team-owning Spanos clan.

The NFL team raked in millions from renting to a well-heeled corporate clientele, while city taxpayers picked up a sizable annual maintenance tab and additional costs. Those included $25,564 for "carpet replacement and installation for 32 suites at the Stadium, per contractual obligations with the Chargers," according to an August 2014 invoice retrieved from city hall.

Kevin Faulconer

A September 2012 purchase order showed that $44,000 was spent for "carpet cleanings as needed for Stadium Suites, Clubs, Press Levels per contractual obligation with Chargers."

With the team's departure for Los Angeles, control of the suites has reverted to the city, under the rule of Republican mayor Kevin Faulconer, but the good life for the high and mighty continues.

According to a September 14 agreement obtained from city hall following a request under the California Public Records Act, the city's Real Estate Assets Department has retained the San Diego Bowl Game Association to "sell all suites inside Qualcomm Stadium for all events held inside the Stadium."

The contract, which runs through December of next year, gives the nonprofit association a hefty 30 percent of "sales of suites at the stadium after credit card fees have been deducted." The city has also agreed to "provide complimentary parking passes for suite license holders for all stadium events (approximately one parking pass for every four seats)."

Duke Little

To sweeten the deal further, city hall has thrown in 5 percent of "revenues generated for Stadium signage." The agreement goes on to say that the bowl association may sell the suites "for an entire season or for individual events, at bowl's discretion." The city is "responsible for any and all maintenance and upkeep of all suites in use."

A well-heeled cohort is already taking advantage, according to invoices provided by the city. An "8 event suite" rental set developer Mike Ibe's Western Devcon back $21,120, per an August 25 invoice. On August 3, Bank of America was billed $48,400 for a "10 event suite."

San Diego State Sports Properties, an offshoot of SDSU run by alumnus Duke Little, was invoiced $20,561 on September 18 to cover "balance for seasonal suite."

In all, despite concerns by some of lagging general attendance at the games, SDSU and its affiliates occupied 12 luxury suites, per a listing of tenants for the Davis game. The total included one each for executive staff; Aztec Shops; former president Tom Day; the alumni association; student affairs; business affairs; and directors' cabinet.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

USD more than doubles student housing in Linda Vista

Adjunct faculty clamors to be included in expansion
Next Article

Clikatat Ikatowi returns to the Casbah for October 8 show

Venue saw the band’s last performance over a quarter century ago
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader