Donald Trump has purchased his first sports franchise, the San Diego Chargers. Amid the recent indecisiveness of the team’s former owner, Dean Spanos, over relocating in search of more money, the real estate mogul, and presidential front-runner, has acquired the team. It seems that, in an ironic twist, Spanos found the money he was looking for. Trump is said to have paid $1.2 billion for the San Diego team, a whopping $250 million less than it was valued at back in September. By keeping the Chargers in San Diego, Trump will not have to pay the NFL a $500 million moving fee and will instead put this money towards building a new stadium.
The Chargers have called San Diego home for the past 55 years. Fans were upset with Spanos for his blatant preoccupation with money and his total disregard for what was in the best interest of the team and its fans. Long-time minority owner and die-hard fan, George Pernicano, will keep his 3% stake in the team; the 99-year-old helped bring the Chargers to San Diego from Los Angeles in 1961.
In an effort to appease San Diego fans, Trump is building a massive beachfront megastadium for the Chargers. His vow is to “make America’s finest city great again.” Now that the Chargers have a great owner and are able to stay in a great city with great fans, the team is expected to have nothing less than a great season next year.