Dean Spanos says Chargers trying ‘as hard as we can’ for San Diego deal

Chargers owner Dean Spanos asserted his desire to get a deal done with San Diego so the team can stay.

The team is pushing for a ballot initiative to secure taxpayer money for a new stadium, and with the team now having a year before they have to make a decision on a Los Angeles move, Spanos says they are working hard to stay where they are.

“Whatever we need to do, we’re going to do what we need to do to get this done,” Spanos said, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We’re trying as hard as we can. I can’t do it myself. It’s going to take the effort of the mayor; politically we need support. The business community needs to step up. I think once we have a definitive plan in place they’ll get behind us and support us. It has to economically make sense for the voters, and I think (the business community) will help make that case down the line and they’ll support us.

“Our product on the field will be helpful,” Spanos added. “4-12 isn’t going to help much.”

Is this a case of Spanos seriously wanting to stay in San Diego or just saying all the right things? It’s hard to tell. He does sound optimistic, however, which is something of a change in tone from Spanos.

The Chargers will play in San Diego in 2016, but the future beyond that is hazy. They’ve struggled to gain the support they need for a new stadium, and have a preliminary deal in place to share a stadium in Inglewood with the Rams if they so desire.