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Report: Developer Pitching NFL Stadium in San Diego

NFL

Developer Doug Manchester has stepped forward with a proposal to construct a new NFL stadium in San Diego, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. 

Manchester has reportedly reached out to NFL officials about the possibility of constructing a new stadium in San Diego. Neither discussed the news with the Union-Tribune, but the report details a correspondence that Manchester sent to the league outlining a plan for a new stadium.

The proposal would call for a new stadium to be constructed in Mission Valley, though the NFL franchise could play at an upgraded Qualcomm Stadium on a temporary basis. Manchester, the chairman of the Manchester Financial Group, stated in a letter to the league that he could provide a potential landing spot for the Oakland Raiders, who have run into funding issues with their proposed stadium in Las Vegas. More from the Union-Tribune:

Significantly, the letter said the project could “provide an immediate alternative” for the Raiders if their stadium proposal in Las Vegas falls through. The Raiders maintain they are still working toward moving to Las Vegas despite two potential financial partners withdrawing. League owners are set to vote on their possible relocation at a meeting in late March.

The correspondence from Manchester, dated Feb. 8, said the group is “open to working with the Chargers, the Raiders, other NFL owners or a new ownership group.” The letter said an NFL franchise could participate as a partner or tenant.

“Our group will provide the funds previously allocated to be provided by the City of San Diego and guarantee the stadium’s expeditious construction,” the letter says. “Accordingly, this project will not require voter approval.”

The letter also said the group would provide “new state of the art scoreboards and upgrade Qualcomm Stadium while the new stadium is being constructed.”

The San Diego Chargers announced in January that they are relocating to Los Angeles, effective for the 2017 season. By exercising their option, the Chargers are line to join the Los Angeles Rams at a new stadium Inglewood when it opens in 2019.

Since the Chargers’ departure, there has been plenty of discussion about what could happen to Qualcomm Stadium and the surrounding land. One high-profile proposal calls for the development of a new MLS stadium that would double as the home of San Diego State University football.

Officials have discussed the possibility of closing Qualcomm Stadium after the 2018 NCAA football season, with the new soccer stadium likely opening by 2020. The soccer stadium development, however, could leave enough land for a new NFL facility in the area.

Image from flickr.com under Creative Commons license.

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