San Diego Chargers Near Bottom of Most Valuable NFL Teams List

Forbes.com just released their annual rankings of the most valuable franchises in the NFL, and surprisingly the San Diego Chargers are nowhere near the top.

The San Diego Chargers, who are the only NFL franchise left in the Southern California region, are ranked 24 out of the 32 NFL franchises. Hard to believe about a team that has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons, and has won four straight AFC West division titles.

The Chargers are currently worth $907 million, a 1-percent decrease from 2009 when the team was worth $917 million.

The Spanos family, lead by patriarch Alexander G. Spanos, purchased the Chargers in 1984 for $70 million. Spanos has since handed over the day to day operations of the team to his son Dean.

The Chargers claim that they can't compete fiscally in the NFL without the aid of a new football stadium; however, the team is having a difficult time keeping current season ticket holders, and selling their overpriced "Gold Club" club level seats.

Qualcomm Stadium, where the Chargers have played for the last 43 seasons, has definitely seen better days. The aging stadium was built in 1967, and was last renovated in 1998, just in time for Super Bowl XXXII. The renovation also helped San Diego land Super Bowl XXXVII after San Francisco was unable to secure funding and construction of a new stadium.

Team President and CEO Dean Spanos has dedicated the last eight years and millions of dollars to find a suitable location for a new Super Bowl caliber stadium for the Chargers within the county or city of San Diego. 

A lot hangs in the balance of the 2010 season for the San Diego Chargers.

The team is facing uncertainty with the current contract disputes of Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, and there is the added distraction of whether football will be played in 2011.

If the Chargers want the new stadium they so desire, and an increase in revenue to help move up the list of most valuable teams, then another solid performance during the regular season, a deep run into the playoffs, including a Super Bowl appearance, may help them get what they want.