TERM SHEET TO THE CITY FOR MISSION VALLEY STADIUM FEB 22, 2016
This was the day the Mayor, Ron Roberts and Aimee Faucett from the city met with Dean Spanos, Fred Maas and Mark Fabiani at Chargers Complex. This was right after the vote in Houston and before Measure C began. The team made one last offer for Mission Valley before deciding on downtown. The Chargers proposed a 65,000 seat stand alone stadium with $650 million coming from Dean and the NFL coupled with the $550 million from the city and county. The deal breaker is the team asked for an extra $200 million for the mission valley site. The Chargers have always claimed that CSAG report was underfunded by $200 million dollars causing them to walk away from the table in June 2015.
They cited the reason that mission valley limited construction in that there not a lot of room for construction because of the river, the freeways and existing development. A traffic overhaul would have to be done and they would have to entirely raise the ground to build on it. A complete EIR would be needed as well. They contended being counseled by the law firm Latham and Watkins that the EIR the mayor had done would have never stood up in the courts of California. The city can deny some of the claims from this meeting but I have a copy of the term mission valley term sheet in front of me.
In stated the Chargers would accept the Mission Valley site if the mayor agreed to the terms. If the mayor did not the team would pursue an agreement with JMI Realty in downtown. These were the terms:
1. City must fully cooperate with the Chargers to re-write the city's existing EIR. (The chargers will cover the costs incurred by Latham & Watkins to revise the EIR estimmated cost $1,000,000,00.00. The city covers the cost incurred by AECOM the city's consultant on the existing EIR.
2. Mayor will endorse, without qualification, and promise to vote fpor and campaign for the $200 million citywide Citizen Initiative.
3. The mayor agrees to work to place the measure on the November 2016 ballot that will mandate $200 million from the city general fund.
4. The mayor agrees to work with the County Board of Supervisors to obtain pre-approval from the County Board for the $150 million in county funding.
5. The city ballot measure must include an absolute prohibition against future development on the MV site.
$200 million city of San Diego requires a majority vote in November 2017, $150 million from the County of San Diego, $200 million from the TOT requires a 2/3 vote in November 2017, $300 millions in loans and grants from the NFL, $350 million from the Chargers and the Chargers guarantee all cost overruns.
The Mayor went back to his office and called the team that day.He flatly refused their offer.
They cited the reason that mission valley limited construction in that there not a lot of room for construction because of the river, the freeways and existing development. A traffic overhaul would have to be done and they would have to entirely raise the ground to build on it. A complete EIR would be needed as well. They contended being counseled by the law firm Latham and Watkins that the EIR the mayor had done would have never stood up in the courts of California. The city can deny some of the claims from this meeting but I have a copy of the term mission valley term sheet in front of me.
In stated the Chargers would accept the Mission Valley site if the mayor agreed to the terms. If the mayor did not the team would pursue an agreement with JMI Realty in downtown. These were the terms:
1. City must fully cooperate with the Chargers to re-write the city's existing EIR. (The chargers will cover the costs incurred by Latham & Watkins to revise the EIR estimmated cost $1,000,000,00.00. The city covers the cost incurred by AECOM the city's consultant on the existing EIR.
2. Mayor will endorse, without qualification, and promise to vote fpor and campaign for the $200 million citywide Citizen Initiative.
3. The mayor agrees to work to place the measure on the November 2016 ballot that will mandate $200 million from the city general fund.
4. The mayor agrees to work with the County Board of Supervisors to obtain pre-approval from the County Board for the $150 million in county funding.
5. The city ballot measure must include an absolute prohibition against future development on the MV site.
$200 million city of San Diego requires a majority vote in November 2017, $150 million from the County of San Diego, $200 million from the TOT requires a 2/3 vote in November 2017, $300 millions in loans and grants from the NFL, $350 million from the Chargers and the Chargers guarantee all cost overruns.
The Mayor went back to his office and called the team that day.He flatly refused their offer.
This would have required 3 different votes in November. The TOT increase would require 66.7% but the other two would have just needed 50.1%. If the two were to pass the other one could have probably been compromised in a special election. The Chargers would have paid for a EIR that they believed would have passed the court system and paid for cost overruns. Dean agreed there would be no development in Mission Valley so there would be no delay in the construction. The team required an extra $200 million from the city in what they said were miscalculations in the Mayor"s numbers. They gave the city 24 hours to answer. The proposal was laughed and mocked by the city.
Ron Roberts and the council claimed "there was never a term sheet, that is laughable. It was a take it or leave it with an extra 200 million for mission valley". It was a take it or leave it offer but there was a term sheet. The city was lying!
Of course, the Chargers never admitted that they contacted Santa Ana a day before this meeting looking for a temporary training facility as reported by the OC Register.
Ron Roberts and the council claimed "there was never a term sheet, that is laughable. It was a take it or leave it with an extra 200 million for mission valley". It was a take it or leave it offer but there was a term sheet. The city was lying!
Of course, the Chargers never admitted that they contacted Santa Ana a day before this meeting looking for a temporary training facility as reported by the OC Register.
We know know the Mayor was never going to even entertain this offer as he started to meet with the FS Investors about a MLS stadium one month prior.
"Today, San Diego didn't lose the Chargers. The Chargers lost San Diego." Just remember those words, okay.
The mayor Chief of Staff is Steve Puetz. He got married at a FS Investor $8 million dollar Point Loma developers' house. Now we also know Chris Cate allegedly broke the law when he leaked a top secret memos to the FS Investors as well. The Mayor who was silent for the entire campaign because he was meeting with the FS investors 11 times in secret meetings
Where is the outrage from the voters from the fact that these people could lie and deceive them so easily? There is none. That is exactly why NOTHING will ever get done in San Diego. San Diego shut up about a new arena or a private developer coming in to build a stadium that could bring back the NFL. The word is out now and the word is San Diego leaders are corrupt and could they're not competent enough to build house of Lego's let alone a stadium.
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 ELECTION DAY
I was remembering what it was like back in the meeting in February. All the promises that never happened. It was all so fucked up.
Where was the plans the fan groups told the team we needed to drive the county voters without transportation to the polls?
Where was the excitement in the air from the anticipation of having a chance to save the 55 years of Chargers history at that polls that evening?
All that is left now is a feeling of disappointment -- and not being in control over what was about to happen.
Knowing not only were we going to lose the first vote on a NFL stadium since 1965 in San Diego, but that I played a role in the process that failed. It was disappointing.
As we had done so many times in 2016, the group had to put on a brave face and continue to do media interviews that day pretending that we thought we could hit 50.1%. Then maybe we'd get lucky and the two sides would compromise on one final shot at a deal. Dean had been putting out through the media that "If it is under 50% it tells me one thing, if it more than 50% it tells me another."
What a fucking bullshit statement to make. What does that even mean? Maybe if you lifted a finger in the campaign, we would have over 50%.
Maybe if your former players had not hated your guts, we would have over 50%.
Maybe if Mark didn't carpet bomb our city for 14 years, we'd have over 50%.
$10 million on the campaign was a load of crap when 70% was spent on getting the plan on the ballot and Fred and Mark's salary. In reality, very little was spent on the "campaign" -- if that is what you want to call it.
The campaign was underfunded and not campaigned for by the team.
Maybe if your former players had not hated your guts, we would have over 50%.
Maybe if Mark didn't carpet bomb our city for 14 years, we'd have over 50%.
$10 million on the campaign was a load of crap when 70% was spent on getting the plan on the ballot and Fred and Mark's salary. In reality, very little was spent on the "campaign" -- if that is what you want to call it.
The campaign was underfunded and not campaigned for by the team.
I know for a fact the fans are not the ones to blame. This team could never get out of their own way. Norv Turner's and Mike McCoy's abysmal record and Dean crawling in bed with Mark Davis on a shared Raider stadium affected attendance. It was the final straw for a lot of long term fans. There is a divide among many fans whether to support the team in LA or hate watch from a distance.
This dilemma was captured perfectly by Pens At Work in the following satire video.
A LOVE STORY BY PENS AT WORK
This dilemma was captured perfectly by Pens At Work in the following satire video.
A LOVE STORY BY PENS AT WORK
Save Our Bolts did the best we could with the resources we had. I think we did an amazing job. The team did get sent back from Houston to try again and Ron Roberts told us the other owners did mention the movement from Save Our Bolts.307,000 yes votes vs 238,000 no votes in a all city vote with no county votes and no campaign. We got more votes than the Mayor received.
Save Our Bolts planned a fan get together at Cali Comfort BBQ to watch the election returns come in. Dean told me he might stop by later that night with Fred and Mark. Later that day I received an email from Fred Maas, "Before the dust settles, pleased know how grateful we are to you and all of your Bolts crew...Could not have gotten here without you... " Yea, no shit sherlock!
God, I love David Arganoff. We have zero in common outside the Chargers but that little fucker never gives up. Here a video of his speech on election night from Cali Comfort BBQ. Again the fans showed up. I was still recovering from the surgery and feeling deflated so I'm off in the corner enjoying multiple pitchers of beer.
This movement started in November 2014 with a handful of fans discussing that we are NOT going to stand by and just let the NFL take our team. That led us to the Mayor State of the City address.
Then the movement EXPLODED 3 months later at a CSAG forum that we made into a Save Our Bolts Rally!
The nation related to the story and heard our screams!
HBO had fun with the fight (above)
This was personal. That came across in a speech to the NFL in a San Diego forum in October 2015 by Save Our Bolts/ Bolt Pride member Donney Cummins.
The Chargers honoring us on the field against the Bucs December 4, 2017.
God, I love David Arganoff. We have zero in common outside the Chargers but that little fucker never gives up. Here a video of his speech on election night from Cali Comfort BBQ. Again the fans showed up. I was still recovering from the surgery and feeling deflated so I'm off in the corner enjoying multiple pitchers of beer.
The journey ended here.. David Arganoff speech on Election Night
I'm just a story teller. I'm one voice among many. Make no mistake I'm no lone ranger. Without my brothers and sisters from Save Our Bolts I'm nothing! Especially the fans too. They had our backs at every step for the entire journey.
THE $1.00 OFFER
God, I love David Arganoff. We have zero in common outside the Chargers but that little fucker never gives up. Here a video of his speech on election night from Cali Comfort BBQ. Again the fans showed up. I was still recovering from the surgery and feeling deflated so I'm off in the corner enjoying multiple pitchers of beer.
This movement started in November 2014 with a handful of fans discussing that we are NOT going to stand by and just let the NFL take our team. That led us to the Mayor State of the City address.
I'm just a story teller. I'm one voice among many. Make no mistake I'm no lone ranger. Without my brothers and sisters from Save Our Bolts I'm nothing! Especially the fans too. They had our backs at every step for the entire journey.
THE $1.00 OFFER
Jason, Johnny and I met with Chris Cate a few weeks after the election. We had "heard" that Cate, Scott Sherman and Chris Ward were developing a fake proposal to give Mission Valley to the Chargers for $1.00. Cate looked almost relieved. He kept mentioning the city moving on with Mission Valley if they leave.
The $1.00 proposal was simply political cover. It was sad and embarrassing yet fans fell for it and did most of the media. Those four had no authority to make such an offer to began with. The mayor wanted nothing to do with it. Today, we know it would have failed flat because the mayor was secretly sucking off the FA Investors to the tune of 24 meeting in private and a wedding hosted by the FA Investors for his chief of staff.
Just as cheesy as the $1.00 offer was the charger fan who went down to the complex with cash to pay for Mission Valley as a way of mocking Spanos. Sadly, this man who KNEW what we knew which was how fragile the team was at this point still recruiting unknowing fans of the situation to take part in his amatuer hour clown show. It makes me sick to know this person was a "member" of save our bolts. I'm sure you know how there is always there is always that "one guy" right? "THAT one guy" who shows up only when the cameras are around to promote his sight over the better good of the group. Our members worked way to long and way to hard to have "one guy" out there prostituting himself using the group name.
My message to him.. Do you remember the conference calls for hours at night? Do you remember coming to the events put on for the fans? Yea, that is why you don't remember being on the field getting recognized with the members who deserved it. I'll leave this rant as this. We know we are Charger fans! We know we fought like hell! We didn't have to. Hint who "that guy" is, "YA KNOW YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE WHEN.."
43% is what I predicted we would get that night. Sadly, that is what we ended up with. We had more votes than the Mayor got to be reelected so there is that. Sadness at the outcome but proud as hell for a group of fans who gathered 2 years earlier at Starbucks to seek out how to keep the team in their city from moving. Very proud and thankful with our effort. The fans in this city deserved so much better than this. I'm sorry we couldn't bring the team and city together. But as it is sometimes with families as well. I think the two were divorced sooner than we wanted to admit.
We were still confident that the team would stay in 2017. How could the owners let a man who failed as much as Dean has into their baby market? He can't market his team in a city they called home for 55 years let alone a brand new city in LA?
I still wanted to support the players as I'm sure all of this must have been twice as hard on the them as any of us. The last road game was going to be on Christmas eve. So the final time the fans could really send the team off would be to Cleveland at the beginning of December.
I have set things like this up so many times before. Fans welcoming the team home from a playoff game or road division clinching game. Last year, I helped get the word out to welcome them home from Denver. Those were exciting times. A lot of fun for the fans who get to get together with old friends and make new friends while rallying around one common cause, the love of the San Diego Chargers. This time kinda felt different. A scary and sad feeling inside took over as I began to put this one together.
The players sure needed a send off after the last home game vs Oakland. Worst crowd ever as it turned up being 95% Raiders fans at a home game in San Diego. One player Dwight Lowery complained about it in public. We Charger fans had seen and heard this all before. But these young players have no idea what we have been through as a fan base since Dean took over.
The team was aware what I was planning. It was actually a good turnout considering the circumstances. Over a 100 people showed up in the rain to support the team. The players loved it. They had their cameras out taking pictures. Tom Telesco, Mike McCoy and Dwight Lowery came out to greet the fans. It did feel really good to do this for the team.
REBRANDING
I've talked to Mark about "IF" they were to ever relocate would they consider re-branding or not. The answer was always flat out no. So when a reporter called me to comment on a brand new rumor about re-branding I simply said no but let me make a call and get you a team quote to go with ours (save our bolts.) But his time Mark answer was different. "The branding issue is not something that has been decided. Hell, Dean hasn't even decided to move the team yet!
But the option would be to, at some point in the future, relinquish the Chargers brand and leave the marks, etc. in San Diego in the event another team ever moved here.
That's what happens with the Cleveland Browns marks when Cleveland moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens.
That's not a decision that could be made quickly, though, because you have to notify the NFL of uniform changes at least a year in advance.
Again, though, we're getting ahead of ourselves...Dean hasn't even decided what he wants to do regarding relocating!"
THE FINAL HOME GAME VS CHIEFS
I didn't attend the last game vs Miami last year. I just couldn't bring myself to go. But I wanted no regrets this year so I got two tickets to the game. Johnny didn't have a ticket so the other ticket went to him. I wanted to sit with him during the game cause we grew so close the last 2 years and we knew how hard the other had fought. I miss going to war with him at my side. He has no idea how much I respect him and all that he did. Plus just being the person he is. I have much love for Johnny Boltpride.
We started out like so many other games before that historic January day. Down in the corner of the massive parking lot is section A4. The Bolt Pride tailgate! It wasn't that crowded that day and you can tell by looking around that all that was left was us diehards fans. I had a funny picture of Scott Sherman that I would take to Dean suite and gave it to Fred Maas so he could give it to Dean as a present. Mark was out of town with his kids so I decided to stay in the stands with the fans for this one. That is where I belong.
The game itself was the usual lately. A loyal loud small crowd witnessing the Chargers losing. Johnny was with Bolt Pride on the west side and I was wandering all around the stadium just taking it all in. The place I spent so many days and nights as a child at a Padres or Charger games. I grabbed some of my friends from the upper deck and took them down to Field level along the second row. We just sneaked on down there. What the hell were they going to do kick me out? Ban me for a season? HA! They need to focus on making sure we don't have another jack off gate with a security guy.
The section I went to was to go and say hi (hopefully) not goodbye to two girls who became very popular with photographers in 2016. I guess the public got tired of looking at Johnny and I old mug rightfully so.
They were sisters and was always there in the front row with their Save Our Bolts sign. Kimberly, is the Charger fan and her sister Aleni is a die hard Packers fans who roots for the Chargers with her sister. They went to Green Bay in 2015 and attended almost every event our group threw, EVERY event! These girls were the symbol of die hard fans. I was so busy the last 2 years I had neglected to let everyone know my sincere appreciation for their support during the Save Our Bolts tenure. I had to at least make it to them two though before the clock hit 0:00.
Richie is the youngest SOB member and the only guy to go to Houston for the vote in 2015. He was in the section I made it to with Johnny. The whole moment nearing the end of the game was surreal. The elephant in the room was felt by tens of thousands fans. As the game ended and the players made their way in the tunnel for the last time. The speakers blared the Rolling Stones "The Last Time" and Jackson Browne "Stay a little bit longer".. Thousands of people sharing the exact same moment and feelings yet everyone going through it as one.It was very personal and each person feeling it in their own way. I didn't know whether to bawl my eyes out or tear the stadium apart like in Cleveland.
Security rushed the players off the field faster than I had ever seen before. The field was cleared very quickly. Now it was just the fans in the stands who gathered right where the tunnel where the Chargers come in and out of. The field was dimmed lit and the sunset was approaching in the sky. How ironic.
LAST GAME IN SAN DIEGO
Then it happened, one of the most emotional memorable moments I'll ever witnessed. The crowd hadn't recognized Johnny and I as Save Our Bolts members. It was great that they didn't. I got to take in all of the emotions without worrying about how I looked or how it would be perceived.
A couple of thousands fans gathered together in a crowded area of the Q on the field level by the players tunnel. They started chanting loud as hell. "SAVE OUR BOLTS, SAVE OUR BOLTS!" I got tear eyed as I looked around. I was so damn lucky to be a part of this movement . I was content just looking around as the chant grew louder and louder. I recalled thinking... FUCK, I hope we don't let these people down. I'll never forget that chant as long as I live. It was a special moment and I was at the perfect place to just let it in.
A couple of thousands fans gathered together in a crowded area of the Q on the field level by the players tunnel. They started chanting loud as hell. "SAVE OUR BOLTS, SAVE OUR BOLTS!" I got tear eyed as I looked around. I was so damn lucky to be a part of this movement . I was content just looking around as the chant grew louder and louder. I recalled thinking... FUCK, I hope we don't let these people down. I'll never forget that chant as long as I live. It was a special moment and I was at the perfect place to just let it in.
Go to 4 minute mark to hear the fans chant "Save Our Bolts"
I made my way up from the field level seats to jump the rail to go into Plaza. People were still in the seats and their faces were just emotionless. No one wanted to leave. There were fans who was just sitting there staring unto the field. It was a blank stare with tears in their eyes. Some people were bawling. It was a very serious personal moment for everyone in attendance.
As I made my way to the scoreboard at the top of Plaza on the east endzone, I looked back one last time. It was an amazing view. The Rolling Stones the "Last Time" was still ringing in my head as the sun was setting right over the scoreboard on the west side directly across from me. The stands and the field were completely empty.
As I made my way to the scoreboard at the top of Plaza on the east endzone, I looked back one last time. It was an amazing view. The Rolling Stones the "Last Time" was still ringing in my head as the sun was setting right over the scoreboard on the west side directly across from me. The stands and the field were completely empty.
Memories of the early 80's when the Chargers Power yellow shirts was everywhere. Wes Chandler, Charlie Joiner, Hank Bauer, Fouts and Seau. These players gave their heart and soul on the field. The generations of charger fans spirits still roam through the concrete walls.
This land is sacred to us.
I will admit as I turned away to go back to the tailgate to spend time with my buddies for possibly the last time. I started to cry briefly. It's sickening to feel the pain and know to the deciders, "it's just business." To us it's our whole life of memories and passion. The NFL has lost touch with their fans. This is just the start and it will show over time. We are the consumer.
This land is sacred to us.
I will admit as I turned away to go back to the tailgate to spend time with my buddies for possibly the last time. I started to cry briefly. It's sickening to feel the pain and know to the deciders, "it's just business." To us it's our whole life of memories and passion. The NFL has lost touch with their fans. This is just the start and it will show over time. We are the consumer.
DEAN SPANOS DEAR JOHN LETTER
On the way home from the doctor, I was thinking I might not be able to do another year of this with my health. I notified Mark in the car on the phone going north on the 15 freeway. He responded by saying, "You're a tough, SOB,just let us know what you need."
The day of my doctor appointment was Jan 12, 2017. It was also the day of the Mayor State of the City address. On January 15, 2017, just three days after the team announced they were leaving. The Mayor announced the MLS FS Investors plan for a soccer team in mission valley. Months later, Ron Roberts admitted the city council was pushing the team to Inglewood thinking they could avoid the Raiders- Chargers plan. They didn't think Dean would make the decision to actually move. They gambled, They failed, You charger fans suffer the consequences from their actions.
Two hours after my doctor appt I was still bracing myself for this surgery. Then the world changed. Dean released a "statement". A god damn statement! It was like a dear john goodbye letter to San Diego. It was actually officially over now.
The Chargers were moving to LA! Well, at least according to my twitter account. Dean announced there will be a meeting the following day at 8am with the teams front office people.
The Chargers were moving to LA! Well, at least according to my twitter account. Dean announced there will be a meeting the following day at 8am with the teams front office people.
I was shocked that Dean actually made a decision. I was in disbelief that the team was actually leaving.
Who does this to someone? Such a heartless decision that he knew would tear people in the city's heart apart. He couldn't even come out to address us or the fans. Charger fans slowly begin to realize that the San Diego Chargers are no more.
Dean Spanos picked the worst and most chicken shit way to inform the city. The Chargers twitter account already had a new LA logo up within minutes after the announcement. They also had a brand new shiny website domain fightforla.com.
But Dean just made up his mind right? We were mislead and deceived. The man who long craved to be loved by charger fans had just become the most hated name and person in our city history to charger fans. He used our city and when he got what he wanted he stuck a knife in their hearts by choosing money over loyalty. This is what the NFL has become today.
Who does this to someone? Such a heartless decision that he knew would tear people in the city's heart apart. He couldn't even come out to address us or the fans. Charger fans slowly begin to realize that the San Diego Chargers are no more.
Dean Spanos picked the worst and most chicken shit way to inform the city. The Chargers twitter account already had a new LA logo up within minutes after the announcement. They also had a brand new shiny website domain fightforla.com.
But Dean just made up his mind right? We were mislead and deceived. The man who long craved to be loved by charger fans had just become the most hated name and person in our city history to charger fans. He used our city and when he got what he wanted he stuck a knife in their hearts by choosing money over loyalty. This is what the NFL has become today.
I couldn't get out of bed at home while I waited for word on a date for surgery. I started to move around a little bit 4 days after the announcement on a Sunday morning. The past 4 days had been a fog in my head. I had completely isolated myself from the outside world. I had avoided the TV and all social media accounts until that morning. The first thing I saw when I finally logged onto the internet, was the fans at the complex burning their jerseys in anger the evening of the announcement.
These were not just fans to me. I knew these people. These people were my friends. The footage from the news made me so angry. Fans standing outside the complex crying and dumping their charger cloths onto a pile of fire. I was outraged at the way the fans were being treated.
I pulled up a sports podcast from the day of the announcement. I listened to former charger Nick Hardwick and Judson Richard. I became overwhelmed with anger and resentment. I wanted to burn the complex to the ground.!!! I'm glad I was unable to go down there the night of the announce or I would have been in jail for sure.
Nick Hardwick was a huge supporter of the group and a friend of mine as well. As he talked about his feelings. He felt what I felt. Nick walked a lot of fans through the different stages of grief that week. Nick deserves praise for his honesty and openness with the listeners in everyone's turmoil.
I am a huge supporter of Nick and his decision to follow the team. That man bled on the field and broke his neck for a sport and a team I loved. He earned the right to do whatever he felt was best. Nick Hardwick is not a traitor. Those who call him that don't know the sacrifice he made during our campaign, we do. Nick is a friend and a amazing man to his family.
These were not just fans to me. I knew these people. These people were my friends. The footage from the news made me so angry. Fans standing outside the complex crying and dumping their charger cloths onto a pile of fire. I was outraged at the way the fans were being treated.
I pulled up a sports podcast from the day of the announcement. I listened to former charger Nick Hardwick and Judson Richard. I became overwhelmed with anger and resentment. I wanted to burn the complex to the ground.!!! I'm glad I was unable to go down there the night of the announce or I would have been in jail for sure.
Nick Hardwick was a huge supporter of the group and a friend of mine as well. As he talked about his feelings. He felt what I felt. Nick walked a lot of fans through the different stages of grief that week. Nick deserves praise for his honesty and openness with the listeners in everyone's turmoil.
I am a huge supporter of Nick and his decision to follow the team. That man bled on the field and broke his neck for a sport and a team I loved. He earned the right to do whatever he felt was best. Nick Hardwick is not a traitor. Those who call him that don't know the sacrifice he made during our campaign, we do. Nick is a friend and a amazing man to his family.
Did the team use my group and myself? Did Dean lie the whole year knowing LA was his destination? Hell, I don't know. Everyone wants to blame someone. It's done and it is time for our city to move on. What happened here was a life changing event. Let's all take sometime to ration all of our thoughts and feelings over what happened. There is no such thing as a SD Charger fan and LA Charger fans. We are not the blood and crips. We are Charger fans! Don't let the NFL divide and break us. Come together and unite as one city.
COME TOGETHER
The LA Charger fans made a beautiful banner for a boy named Killy in 2014. He' was a 3 year old who had terminal brain cancer. I gathered a large group of fans in San Diego to give him Christmas presents. It was amazing how the fans all came together from all the over the world. The LA Charger fans helped us a lot to make that happen.
Now, because of the move we are all of a sudden suppose to hate my LA fans? I'm not going to buy into that concept.
What about those fans that have decided to follow or those that have quit the team all together? You have the right to follow or not follow the team. You do NOT have the right to tell another fan how their suppose to feel. What another fan does or how that person feels is none of your business.
Now, because of the move we are all of a sudden suppose to hate my LA fans? I'm not going to buy into that concept.
What about those fans that have decided to follow or those that have quit the team all together? You have the right to follow or not follow the team. You do NOT have the right to tell another fan how their suppose to feel. What another fan does or how that person feels is none of your business.
EPIC IN MIAMI, MY LAST HOORAY!
So, I had the surgery and it was a very long tough recovery. Weeks of laying in bed barely able to move. I had a lot of time on my hands to ponder everything that happened. I came up with an idea to celebrate one of the best teams in Charger history. The 1981 team that went on to play the "Epic in Miami".
I wanted fans of all ages to come together and watch the game. I wanted to get some of the players from that game to come and speak about the memories from that game. I started planning the location and the details out. It would be at Cali Comfort BBQ.
I wanted fans of all ages to come together and watch the game. I wanted to get some of the players from that game to come and speak about the memories from that game. I started planning the location and the details out. It would be at Cali Comfort BBQ.
Former Charger Hank Bauer who played in that game and Mary Seau (Junior Seau sister) both confirmed early as guests. Jim Trotter of ESPN and Bernie Wilson from the AP also made it down there as guests. Local sportscaster CS Keys came to support. (CS Keys passed away 11 months later.
The event was packed from the front all the to the back of Cali Comfort. All the tv's were replaying the epic in miami game. Boltman showed up for the fans.
I spoke to Ron (the man who had been shooting the cannon off at home games since 1961. Sadly, he was out of the country at the time of the event otherwise the cannon and himself would have been there.
The event was packed from the front all the to the back of Cali Comfort. All the tv's were replaying the epic in miami game. Boltman showed up for the fans.
I spoke to Ron (the man who had been shooting the cannon off at home games since 1961. Sadly, he was out of the country at the time of the event otherwise the cannon and himself would have been there.
It felt so damn good to be with fans again after the long recovery and the team leaving. April 1st 2017, I will always be remembered as the day that I was able to give something back to the players who gave so much to me over the years. o.
The Chargers have become in LA the lonely orphan child that no one wants to adopt. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
THE FIGHT FOR LA
Meanwhile in LA, Jeffrey Pollack who is the Special Advisor to Dean Spanos, has made most of the transition decisions in LA. His resume is impressive, but his marketing ideas for LA have bombed big-time. .
LA has 13 million citizens and multiple sports teams already established in the area. The Chargers were not met with any excitement when they entered LA. Not one thing has gone right so far in Carson.
They team also fired their longtime equipment manager Bob Wick who's been with the team for over 20 years right after the move. He actually moved his family to Carson and then was fired for undisclosed reasons.
He was very popular with former charger players. No statement about why he was fired ever came from the team. At least he didn't find out he was fired through Twitter like defensive coordinator John Pagano was in 2014. Dean's sons John and AG (or dumb and dumber as I refer to them) are posting pictures of themselves at the LA Dodger games. Them trying to belong in LA comes across as desperate and lacks any kind of creativity and sincereness.
He was very popular with former charger players. No statement about why he was fired ever came from the team. At least he didn't find out he was fired through Twitter like defensive coordinator John Pagano was in 2014. Dean's sons John and AG (or dumb and dumber as I refer to them) are posting pictures of themselves at the LA Dodger games. Them trying to belong in LA comes across as desperate and lacks any kind of creativity and sincereness.
The Chargers have become in LA the lonely orphan child that no one wants to adopt. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
They are only paying $1.00 a year in rent. I have heard the expectations is the Rams will cover 60% and the Chargers 40% of the construction costs. Global Legend have began to sell the teams PSL's.
No one knows what the future holds for the Chargers. We know the Chargers have become a laughing stock of the NFL with the way the move to Carson was handled.
The team is charging $100.00 to tailgate in Carson. The team is either just breaking even or losing money. The team gets the TV Sharing revenue which is $250 million annually.
At the end of the 2019 season, Dean has to began to pay the $650 million dollar relocation fee annually for the next 10 years. Each team in the NFL will receive $21 million every year for 10 years from the Raiders and the Chargers.He can not sell the team for 10 years per the NFL by-laws and constitution. That is manageable for most of the NFL owners. But that is a hefty amount for the Spanos family.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Well folks, that's it. That was our journey. When I started this adventure both of my kids were grown. I was divorced so I needed to do something to feel productive. When the team announced they were leaving I truly thought there is nothing more for me here on earth. It was quite depressing.
But good things come to those who wait. Today, I have a remarkable beautiful girlfriend. Her two daughters who are 4 and 2 keep me pretty occupied from feeling useless. Since then, we have had a child of our own named Noah. I still talk to Mark Fabiani and the team helps me out when I can find the time to host an event. I'm still a fan but hate the idea their in LA.
I have learned that life is not about football 24-7. You only live once and with my health the end could be sooner rather than later. I'm content with what we did to keep the team here. I'm proud of what our group accomplished. What I have today is more important than anything the Chargers or the NFL can provide me with. My Family!
If you see me around make sure to stop and say hi. You probably have the same passion I do. I hope you see that through the 15 years of the stadium sage in San Diego. The blame is on both sides the Chargers and the city. I tell you again who is not to blame. The San Diego Charger fans. They can take your team but they will never take our memories of Mission Valley and this history of the Chargers in San Diego.
Take care my friends, Thomas Powell
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Well folks, that's it. That was our journey. When I started this adventure both of my kids were grown. I was divorced so I needed to do something to feel productive. When the team announced they were leaving I truly thought there is nothing more for me here on earth. It was quite depressing.
But good things come to those who wait. Today, I have a remarkable beautiful girlfriend. Her two daughters who are 4 and 2 keep me pretty occupied from feeling useless. Since then, we have had a child of our own named Noah. I still talk to Mark Fabiani and the team helps me out when I can find the time to host an event. I'm still a fan but hate the idea their in LA.
I have learned that life is not about football 24-7. You only live once and with my health the end could be sooner rather than later. I'm content with what we did to keep the team here. I'm proud of what our group accomplished. What I have today is more important than anything the Chargers or the NFL can provide me with. My Family!
If you see me around make sure to stop and say hi. You probably have the same passion I do. I hope you see that through the 15 years of the stadium sage in San Diego. The blame is on both sides the Chargers and the city. I tell you again who is not to blame. The San Diego Charger fans. They can take your team but they will never take our memories of Mission Valley and this history of the Chargers in San Diego.
Take care my friends, Thomas Powell
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