To have their voices heard, Chargers fans flocked like sheep to Qualcomm Stadium.
But nary a mention of Goat Hill Park?
The Chargers’ quest for a new stadium slogs on, and remember when Oceanside was in the conversation?
Among the plans for the Bolts’ fresh digs was the Goat Hill Golf Course. But it proved to be another mulligan in this protracted search.
North County residents were among those clearing their throats this week at the Q. Bolts backers weren’t shy about letting the Citizens’ Advisory Stadium Group know how they feel.
The buzzwords of “Save Our Bolts” were easy to hear. In one fashion or another, the Chargers’ faithful swore their Sundays wouldn’t be the same if the team skedaddled north.
But do those fans need to praise the Chargers and pass the offering plate?
Seems so, and how does roughly $600 million sound?
If the Chargers can stay put, they’ll welcome that notion with open arms.
Just know it comes with open palms.
While Inglewood and Carson move forward with their stadium proposals, they do so minus significant government handouts. The L.A. market riches, in terms of personal seat licenses, sponsorship deals and broadcasting advertisements, can’t be matched by San Diego.
That’s why, according to the Chargers they’ll need help in building the Q’s replacement.
Mark Fabiani, the Chargers’ lead counsel, is clear on that front. We’ll take his word and that’s always a risk with billionaires seeking others to reach for the check.
Various reports state that the Chargers make an estimated $75 million per year. Plus, their $70 million investment for the team has morphed into the north side of $1 billion.
The Chargers are threatening to skip town — with the Raiders, really? — unless San Diegans pony up.
Fabian told CSAG that it can’t deliver “half-baked” ideas. It says here, the stadium must be more than a stadium.
Despite speakers reminiscing and hoping to add to their Mission Valley memories, that’s no place for the Chargers home.
I’m doubtful any city measure would be approved by the two-thirds majority to raise taxes. This endeavor should be a countywide vote, and if supervisor Ron Roberts’ bridge loan is available, cross it.
But X off Mission Valley and focus on the downtown site. Go where the lights are, and when they shine on the venue, citizens will see more than a playpen for a rich dude from Stockton.
The stadium has to be just that and more. If not, it appears the Spanos family has hoodwinked the folks again — the dreaded ticket guarantee cost San Diego $35 million.
If the stadium, with a soft, retractable roof, is part of a convention center expansion, it could be sold as something for all San Diegans and not just football fans.
Such a complex could be a catalyst for hotel stays and the cha-ching that comes from tourists filling the Gaslamp Quarter.
Does getting there require nickel-and-diming the taxpayers? Likely, and like a goat that’s eaten something rotten, it churns my stomach, too.
Contact Jay Paris at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at jparis_sports and at mighty1090.com.
