SAN DIEGO — Developer Doug Manchester, who often refers to himself as "Papa Doug," has sent a letter to the National Football League about wanting to privately fund a football stadium in Mission Valley, the San Diego Union-Tribune sports columnist Kevin Acee reported Tuesday morning.
The newspaper reported that Manchester told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a letter dated Feb. 8 that he had assembled a group of "powerful" associates who would like to build upon the land on which Qualcomm Stadium currently sits to construct a 70,000-seat stadium through a project that would "not require voter approval."
Manchester released the following statement to 10News:
"It's very premature at this point but I'm doing everything in my power to keep a NFL team in San Diego. I'm working to get cooperation with the San Diego City Council. The bottom line is we need a team here that wants to be here."
Readers will remember last month that San Diego Chargers fans went through heartbreak of epic proportions after team chairman Dean Spanos unceremoniously announced on Twitter his decision to move the team to Los Angeles.
A possible Manchester-backed stadium could enable the city to host an NFL team once again.
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital reporter. Follow her @10NewsSandy
