12 Steps San Diego Has Taken Toward Building a New Stadium Since Mayor Faulconer's State of the City Address 12 Weeks Ago

​“We still have more work to do, but San Diego clearly has made more progress in the last 12 weeks than it did during the last 12 years,” CSAG’s Day said. “You can bet it’s something I’m going to point out when we meet with the NFL next week.”

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More progress has been made in last 12 weeks than last 12 years, when Chargers first introduced plans for a new stadium

1. January 14: During State of the City, Mayor Faulconer announces stadium issue will be resolved on his watch.
2. January 30: Mayor Faulconer announces formation of Citizens' Stadium Advisory Group (CSAG).
3. February 22: Chargers owner Dean Spanos and Mayor Faulconer meet and agree to move up CSAG’s deadline to 90 days.
4. March 2: CSAG holds public forum at Qualcomm Stadium that draws about 3,000 people.
5. March 12: CSAG selects Mission Valley site over Downtown.
6. March 19: CSAG chair Adam Day and member Aimee Faucett testify to the City Council’s Economic Development Committee about the committee’s progress and next steps.
7. March: Members of CSAG meet with the architects who designed AT&T stadium, Lucas Oil stadium, and are designing the stadium under construction in Minneapolis, as well as the one planned for Inglewood. CSAG members also meet with builder who built Levi's Stadium, and investors interested in funding a new stadium in San Diego.
8. March: CSAG members Mary Lydon, Jim Steeg and Jessie Knight assemble a team of designers and land use experts to look deeper into the development of Mission Valley and a new Chargers Stadium. Representatives with the San Diego River Park Foundation and Mission Valley Planning Group are a part of this team.
9. March/April: CSAG meets with fan groups, including Save Our Bolts and Bolt Pride, Chargers alumni, and other stakeholders, including representatives with the County of San Diego and San Diego State University. The committee also meets with developers interested in the 166-acre Mission Valley site.
10. March 26: Mayor Faulconer, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, San Diego County Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Ron Roberts, and City Councilmembers Myrtle Cole and Scott Sherman announce a partnership between the City and County to work collaboratively and share consultant costs (up to $500,000) for a potential new stadium for the Chargers. The County Board of Supervisors and City Council each have since unanimously approved this expense.
11. April 6: CSAG speaks with NFL Executive Vice President Eric Grubman in advance of his visit to San Diego on April 14.
12. April: City of San Diego finalizing contracts with investment firm, outside attorneys, and financial advisor to represent the City during negotiations with the Chargers.

Although the stadium issue has been around a dozen years, it’s not accurate to suggest any one person or issue is to blame. Multiple factors played a role, including the infamous “ticket guarantee” between the city and the team, which cost San Diego taxpayers millions of dollars and wasn’t lifted until the 2004 season. The City also was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy because of a pension crisis it has since resolved. The real estate collapse was a significant factor, as was the Great Recession.

“None of that, however, is important,” Day said. “What matters is today, and today we have a new Mayor showing tremendous leadership, and an Advisory Group making real progress. You can feel the momentum.”

Day added: “It’s also important to remember that Dean Spanos is a San Diegan. His heart is here and so is his family. Mr. Spanos and his father, Alex Spanos, and the rest of their family, have given back to this community and watched it grow over 3 decades. They’ve raised their families here, they’ve supported local charities, and they’ve hosted 3 Super Bowls. There is no denying this – Their team brings San Diegans together. It’s important that we present Mr. Spanos with a fair and workable plan.”

Additional Info

Mr. Grubman and Mark Fabiani are scheduled to meet with CSAG's Adam Day, Jason Hughes, Jessie Knight, Walt Ekard, and Tony Manolatos during the morning of April 14 in downtown San Diego.

Local business and civic leaders reached out to CSAG to request a meeting with Mr. Grubman while he's in town to talk to him about the economic vitality of our mega region. Mr. Grubman told CSAG he would be happy to meet with leaders from San Diego and Baja California during his next visit to San Diego, which he expects to make in early May. 

Mr. Grubman also said CSAG and/or the City will be given the opportunity to present to the “Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities” made up of six NFL owners. That meeting will likely occur sometime this summer.

Contact: Tony Manolatos