Articles | Citizens' Task Force on Chargers

San Diego Union-Tribune

Kevin Acee

Stadium proposal picks up steam

September 5, 2002

Abstract:
Rookies Reche Caldwell and Josh Norman took advantage of trades by the team and made trades of their own. Caldwell, who had worn No. 18, assumed No. 82, previously the number of wide receiver Trevor Gaylor, who was traded to Atlanta on Sunday. Norman, previously No. 46, is now No. 83, the number worn by tight end Steve Heiden before his trade to Cleveland on Saturday . . . Running back Terrell Fletcher (ankle) and fullback Joey Goodspeed (ankle) joined Cody back on the field yesterday.

Full Text:
Copyright SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE PUBLISHING COMPANY Sep 5, 2002
The Chargers have nearly completed the first of three steps they are undertaking in order to present a stadium proposal to the city's Citizens Task Force on Chargers Issues.

"Our marketing work is just about done," Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani said yesterday. "We're about to turn to the stadium design phase."

The Chargers last month retained marketing specialist Max Muhleman, architectural firm HOK Stadium Design and stadium finance expert Jim Weinstein in an effort to come up with an equitable way to build a new football stadium in San Diego. Muhleman is credited with being the originator of the Personal Seat License, a one-time fee many teams charge in exchange for the right to buy season tickets. His firm, Muhleman Marketing Inc., has been gathering information for the Chargers on the type of corporate and individual support they could expect in a new stadium in San Diego.

Once the marketing survey is complete, HOK will be able to finish designing a prospective stadium and provide a cost estimate. The final phase will be Weinstein's work determining ways to fund stadium construction.

Fabiani said the team plans to complete its proposal before the 15-member task force finishes its study into the Chargers' future here, which is expected to be completed by Feb. 15.

The Chargers have an out in their Qualcomm Stadium lease that allows them to leave after the 2003 season. Team president Dean Spanos has said the Chargers would like to stay in San Diego but cannot continue playing in an outdated facility.

Fabiani said Muhleman, HOK and Weinstein have been charged with finding "a way to keep the team in San Diego long term, while keeping the team economically competitive." He added: "We've said from the beginning we're going to do everything we could to find the best experts we could to figure out how to stay here."

Nuts 'n' Bolts
Rookies Reche Caldwell and Josh Norman took advantage of trades by the team and made trades of their own. Caldwell, who had worn No. 18, assumed No. 82, previously the number of wide receiver Trevor Gaylor, who was traded to Atlanta on Sunday. Norman, previously No. 46, is now No. 83, the number worn by tight end Steve Heiden before his trade to Cleveland on Saturday . . . Running back Terrell Fletcher (ankle) and fullback Joey Goodspeed (ankle) joined Cody back on the field yesterday.

Credit: STAFF WRITER