City Set to Work With Chargers
The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted, 7-2, in favor of accepting a task force recommendation to negotiate with the Chargers on the renegotiation of the team’s current lease and a possible new stadium.
But council members made it clear they’re not convinced the Chargers have met the financial benchmarks required to trigger the escape clause in their Qualcomm Stadium lease, and city officials plan to investigate the matter.
The Chargers exercised the clause two weeks ago, before the mayor-appointed task force made its presentation. The timing angered some council members.
“You have to respect and despise the Chargers for their absolute focus on their own bottom line,” Councilman Michael Zucchet said. “They are ruthless business people.”
The Chargers argue they needed to exercise the clause to prompt negotiations and that they want to get rid of the trigger and controversial ticket guarantee, which requires the city to pay for unsold seats through the 2007 season.
The Chargers say they are willing to discuss footing the entire bill for a new $400-million stadium on their current Mission Valley site in exchange for development rights to the 166-acre plot of land.
-- Sam Farmer
College Basketball
Tommy Mitchell scored 23 points to lead Siena (20-10) to a 74-59 victory over Villanova (15-16) in the first round of the NIT at Albany, N.Y.
In other NIT games: Alex Wesby had 20 points and nine rebounds for Temple (16-15) in a 68-59 victory over Drexel (19-12) at Philadelphia.... Mike Sweetney had 17 points and 14 rebounds and Ashanti Cook scored a career-high 16 points to lead Georgetown (16-14) to a 70-60 victory over Tennessee (17-12) at Knoxville, Tenn.... Troy Bell scored 28 points for Boston College (19-11) in a 90-78 victory over Fairfield (19-12) at Bridgeport, Conn.... David Noel scored a season-high 21 points and North Carolina (18-15) shot 64% in the second half in an 83-72 victory over DePaul (16-13) at Chapel Hill, N.C.
Tennis
The International Men’s Tennis Assn. held its first organizational meeting at Key Biscayne, Fla., and officials from the group said 50 players from the ATP tour have signed on with the association.
World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia is the group’s most prominent backer.
IMTA, a trade association, is not breaking away from the ATP but is looking for increased transparency from the ATP, seeking data regarding player pension funds and prize money.
Prize money will increase 29%, up to $1 million, for the women’s Acura Classic this year in Carlsbad from July 26-Aug. 3.
