Bolts Beat a Path of Prosperity
By GENE CUBBISON
Updated 8:15 PM PST, Mon, Jan 5, 2009
Think of the Chargers as an economic engine.
As they run into the postseason and beyond, beating the Colts 23-17 on Saturday, it's extra money for the team and a lot of other interests.
Could more bank deposits lie ahead in Pittsburgh?
If the Bolts beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Sunday, and the Ravens win in Tennessee, there'll be yet another playoff windfall from a conference championship game Jan. 18 at Qualcomm stadium.
While a sellout playoff game generates upwards of several million dollars in gate receipts, under NFL rules, the Bolts only get a leaguewide team share of 1/32nd of the proceeds.
But for the community as a whole, there's quite an economic stimulus package.
In the Sorrento Valley headquarters of Aer Travel, the Chargers' official travel agency, they're fielding plenty of calls and e-commerce for packages to the Pittsburgh game.
The team has allotted 100 tickets to be sold as part of a 2-day package for $799, 3 days for $925 -- double-occupancy -- with a $200 option for singles.
Air travel isn't included, but they'll make arrangements on the side.
"If, in the end, the game doesn't sell out, or the Chargers come up with more tickets," Ear Travel manager Greg Grundy said in an interview Monday, "we'll open up more slots and take people from a waiting list. Because thrall be a waiting list at the end. There always is."
When the Chargers hit pay dirt in the postseason, so do souvenir merchants, the hospitality industry and stadium employees.
"Maybe people can pay off some of those Christmas bills, by the fact that they're working extra on game day," said Jim Steeg, the Chargers' chief operating officer, "whether it's in the parking lots, or the concession workers or the cleanup crew or things like that. So it's a great opportunity for people to benefit."
And, for people to keep some holiday shopping spirits bright with more gear from the Chargers Team Store and licensed merchandise outlets.
Making the playoffs and going even deeper into them also promotes more betting on the Chargers and the other Super Bowl contenders left in the playoffs.
Bolts fan Larry Withen, a San Carlos resident, was savoring a winning wager with his brother, who's a Colts fan, after buying a pullover Chargers jacket for himself Monday in the Chargers Team Store.
What did he take his brother for? "A nice dinner," Withen said. "I'm going to meet him in June, and it's on him."
And will Withen order everything he can off the menu? "Oh, you bet," he laughed. "A nice steak."
Other Chargers fans can only hope there's more to feast -- financially or not -- on in the weeks ahead.
First Published: Jan 5, 2009 3:13 PM PST
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