The San Diego Chargers may be struggling on the football field this season, but they may have gained an unlikely foe that could help them stay in town long-term.
The Chargers proposed downtown stadium project received an endorsement from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who came to support the Measure C initiative after team officials agreed in writing on several key stumbling blocks. The new agreement includes the Chargers paying for all overriding costs that are related to construction and land purchases, guaranteeing the city’s general funding will never be used in the entire process, the team turning over to the city all revenues generated from non-NFL events and the pledge to remain in San Diego until the project initial debt has been fully paid off.
How Did This Deal Take Place
The relationship between Faulconer and the Chargers has been less than acrimonious, but both sides recognized that an agreement could help to secure the team staying in town even if Measure C fails to receive the required number of votes. It was important for each to put their differences aside and find common ground that gains results for the good of all San Diegans.
The mayor’s main concern was growing the city’s tourism economy, and Faulconer believes he has accomplished this by keeping the Chargers in San Diego. The agreement makes sense for all parties, but it’s especially beneficial for local taxpayers. The mayor acknowledges that gaining a two-thirds margin for the initiative will be difficult, but this agreement provides safeguards for the Chargers gaining a long-term solution to their stadium issue.
The Stadium Issue
The Chargers have been seeking a replacement for Qualcomm Stadium for 14 years, this past January; NFL owners rejected the team’s bid to build a stadium in Carson, CA. with the Oakland Raiders in a unique joint partnership. However, if Measure C fails to get approved, 5dimes reviews believe the Chargers still have the option of moving into the stadium currently being built in Inglewood, CA, by the Los Angeles Rams.
Faulconer and other local city officials offered to build a replacement stadium on the Qualcomm Stadium site in Mission Valley. The Chargers rejected the offer and opted to gain support for a downtown stadium location near Petco Park.
Opponents of Measure C
The opponents of Measure C feel the Chargers and other politicians have made too many promises, talk is cheap and it’s time for the general public to decide the outcome in the upcoming November election. The opposing side feels the Chargers will make millions on a naming rights and in-stadium advertising sales, which could pay for their new home.
What is Measure C?
Measure C is on the local ballot that will be voted on November 8th. If approved, it will raise San Diego’s hotel room tax to pay for the downtown stadium project, which has an estimated price of $1.8 billion.
The current hotel room tax rate is 10.5 percent with a separate two percent fee that pays for tourism marketing funds. Measure C raises the hotel room tax to a flat rate of 16.5 percent. The Chargers and the NFL have committed to putting $650 million toward the stadium project, with the remaining $1.15 billion being funded by selling bonds that would be paid back by the hotel room tax increase.
The team’s stance has been that a state-of-the-art facility in downtown San Diego will not only be the home of the Chargers, but it could host approximately 300 other events in a given year. The proposed location is the best deal for San Diego, as it will create more than $1 billion in new tax revenues.
The Chargers have gained the support from Downtown San Diego Partnership Group and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Each group applauded Mayor Faulconer for endorsing the initiative, as they believe Measure C will create jobs and grow San Diego’s economy. Plus, it will keep the Chargers in town and drive more revenue to the downtown area.
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