As far as I’m concerned, the Chargers and the NFL brought this on themselves, and I’m proud of the region’s citizens for not caving to demands of rich businessmen – “give us what we want or we’re leaving”.
I can even tell you the moment when public opinion turned, because it was the moment when my opinion shifted.
In the late 90s the Chargers and the NFL pushed San Diego to expand the stadium. Either expand it, the NFL said, or we’ll move the 1998 Super Bowl. So we as a city caved, added 10,000 seats, gave the Chargers a Sweetheart Deal and got on with life. We felt like we’d been raped, but we kept our chin up and soldiered on. Adding insult to injury was the name change to Qualcomm that was needed to seal the deal.
Then, just 6 short years later, the NFL was back with their hand out. Just six years! Build us a new stadium, they said, or you’ll never get another Super Bowl.
That was it. My opinion shifted, as did that of many other people. The cement was barely cured from their last demand, and their hand was in our pocket yet again – it was clear they weren’t going to be satisfied until they had every last cent we owned.
To our credit we gave them the one finger salute and have continued to do so.
Please leave our fair city. We don’t need your kind around here.
