Holy Ram nation, Mr. Spanos

If Kroenke is going to build a stadium in LA, I fail so se how this gives the Chargers any leverage in SD? Please illuminate, Mr. Bauder. Chargers won't get naming rights. They wil be tenants, with all primary benefits and revenue enjoyed by Kroenke, right? Chargers will be the red-headed step-child at Rams Park. No guarantee they get their parking revenue. Kroenke is a ruthless businesman with the deep pockets to fund a new stadium development. I doubt he will be more charitable to Fabiani & the Spanos' than the City of SD. Seems like that will box the Spanos' in, not give leverage. What am I missing?
— February 17, 2015 2:52 p.m.

Chargers stadium task force "packed"

The Committee will not be successful in finding a sound financial path to pay for a new stadium in San Diego. What we truly need is a solution for San Diego somewhere between the abusive relationship the Chargers/NFL demands (and we have been acquiescing to) and breaking out in a citywide rendition of "I will survive" and sending them packing to Los Angeles. Therefore, I propose the City move to acquire 30% ownership of the Chargers through eminent domain. The City of Oakland, though ultimately unsuccessful, cleared the path. See this article on the extended litigation and the California Supreme Court decision. http://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent… The U.S. Supreme court made it even easier, removing the necessity of requiring a “public purpose” for exercise of this power. See *Kelo v. City of New London*. On principle, I think *Kelo* a horrible decision, but, it would serve a useful purpose in this scenario and it is the law of the land. We use all of the arguments the Chargers and NFL use to rationalize the taxpayers shelling out for a new stadium: The “free” marketing to the rest of the country for our tourism, the businesses that profit in the region by having a team here, the cache that comes from having an NFL franchise, etc., to establish the necessity of acquiring ownership to prevent their departure. Then, we get about the business of business valuation, in order to pay the “fair” value. Again, we use the NFL’s arguments about our shoddy, run-down stadium, our “small market” status, and the paltry national recognition of “brand Chargers.” Then, we demand a look-see at the NFL’s books… Oh, the fecal storm that would ensue! The good ‘ol boy club would have apoplectic fits. Use the big brains in the Mayor’s hand-picked Citizen’s Stadium Advisory Committee, who are so knowledgeable in big-buck finance, to solve the issue of raising capital to purchase the controlling interest in the team (which would be less than the cost they will be trying to foist on the public to build a low use, high cost, depreciating edifice). I don’t think the NFL bylaws would be much of an impediment, no matter how much the owners squawk. Regardless, it would give San Diego much needed leverage and put the NFL in check. This might lead to a more favorable climate for negotiations, both for keeping the Chargers here and for bringing the Superbowl back to the best city in the country for hosting the event. Maybe, we get the NFL to finance a remodel on Qualcomm as part of a settlement. They can afford it.
— February 6, 2015 3:34 p.m.

Chargers stadium task force "packed"

While listening to the cheerleaders on sports radio, the secrecy of the Committee was claimed necessary because of the “anti” forces that would pounce on every tiny issue in order to sabotage any effort. OK, that sounds reasonable. Then, a comment was made that part of the planning was to address in advance, issues that would inevitably come up in litigation that “always” ensues in San Diego. Again, fair. However, I found it odd that none of the committee members were a contrarian. Having a skeptic in the committee, in order to flesh out issues before they were presented to the public, would seem prudent, if one truly wanted to develop a sound plan that might actually avoid costly litigation. Inviting Bruce Henderson to participate, would provide comfort for skeptics, that this wasn’t another organized fleecing of the citizens of San Diego, by the cabal than pulls the strings in this city. Although spoken of derisively by the cheerleaders, Mr. Henderson was right about how the city was going to be screwed when Qualcomm (The Murph) was remodeled. Mr. Henderson was right about the financial dealings that were to screw city finances in the construction of Petco Park. Having Mr. Henderson participate in the plan to finance a new stadium would create a much greater likelihood that it wasn’t going to be another designed fleecing. Absence of a devil’s advocate on the inside is telling.
— February 6, 2015 3:31 p.m.