NBC 7’s Derek Togerson takes a look at the Chargers signature gathering rally in this commentary
A parking lot at 13th and K in Downtown San Diego is not typically the spot you’re going to find a man who oversees one of the most powerful sports leagues on the planet and makes about $40 million a year doing it.
But among the throng of people who attended a rally to start the signature gathering process on the San Diego Chargers’ citizens’ initiative for a new stadium/convention center hybrid in the East Village was NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The appearance of Goodell, who does not venture into America’s Finest City very often, is a story unto itself.
“To me that was so important, to have Roger Goodell here,” said former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, now an employee of NFL Network. “I think that says that this is important to the National Football League. And now that the fans see that Roger came out, and they know it’s important to the NFL, I think they will care more about making this happen.”
So why did Goodell decide to take a weekend break from his New York office and spend the weekend imploring San Diegans to lend their John Hancocks to the new convadium effort? A couple of reasons, actually.
“Dean [Spanos] called me several weeks ago and said we’d like to begin the initiative drive for signatures,” said Goodell. “I said I’d be happy to support it. I’ve been talking to Dean and [San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer] over the last several months about getting more engaged. If I can play a constructive role I want to be here.”
During a tumultuous 2015 when Goodell consistently said Qualcomm Stadium is no longer a viable NFL stadium option, calling it “inadequate” and more or less threatening to let the team move to Los Angeles if a new facility was not constructed here, fans in San Diego saw the Commish as a villain of the highest order. Goodell was singing a very different tune on Saturday morning.
“I said it and I mean it, I think the Chargers belong in San Diego,” said Goodell, a kind of “My Bad” olive branch extension to the fan base. “This is a great day. You see the passion of the fans. You see how important it is to them. It’s our job to go and find a solution for this community and for the team.”
Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco was struck by Goodell’s presence and the impact the man can have.
“There’s a huge commitment here,” said Telesco. “He came out, we’re thankful for that. He did a great job. He’s always been behind us. This is an NFL city, he knows that and we know it. We love it here and the response is just great.”
Hearing all this praise and excitement one might think Goodell walked on water to get to the rally. He’s not making decisions on an island, though, so his support means there is even more support from a whole lot of powerful men.
“Well it shows the support, obviously, of the NFL ownership and he’s committed to do anything he can to help us get this initiative approved,” said Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos, who was out shaking hands and posing for selfies, being more accessible than he’s really ever been with the fan base.
However there is a dark cloud still hanging over all the proceedings; the specter of Los Angeles still looms. If this citizens’ initiative fails the Chargers still have the option to join the Rams at a new facility that’s being built in Inglewood and although Spanos repeated his desire to stay in San Diego, don’t think for one second he won’t head up the freeway if things don’t work out here.
So perhaps Goodell showing up in San Diego is less a commitment to the Chargers staying in San Diego and more a commitment that the National Football League wants to be in San Diego. As Goodell stated during his podium session speaking to the congregation:
“We’ve gotta start by getting our signatures, then we’ve gotta get a vote in November, and then we’ve gotta build this stadium right here, and then we’ll have a new home for the Chargers, and (pause for dramatic effect) a perfect place for the Super Bowl!”
That is one heck of a carrot to dangle in front of a voting public. It’s no secret the league would love to have San Diego (and L.A.) as a future Super Bowl site.
“I’m really encouraged by the fact that he’s going to help support the possibility of a Super Bowl here,” said Spanos. “I’m confident that the owners will support us for a Super Bowl here. From the past three (Super Bowl XXII, Super Bowl XXXII, Super Bowl XXXVII) they’ve had a great experience.”
Of course, Dean was also confident his fellow owners would support his Carson stadium proposal, which was shot down in a 30-2 vote, so take that for what it’s worth.
It would be easy to argue that, for the NFL, having a Super Bowl-caliber facility in San Diego is the bigger motivation than keeping one specific team here. They would have another money-making monster in one of the largest cities in America.
Remember, the NFL is about the NFL making money. That’s the real driving force here. The league sees San Diego, like Telesco said, as a good football market and they want to be here for that reason. If the payoff for all of us is getting to enjoy some really good football and having something to root for and call our own, well that’s fine by me.
How about you?
