Dean Spanos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dean Spanos
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Spanos in 2012
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Dean Alexander Spanos
May 26, 1950 Stockton, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of the Pacific |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | Owner and chairman of the NFL's San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers franchise |
| Board member of | Management Council Executive Committee Business Ventures Committee (NFL) |
| Spouse(s) | Susie Spanos |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Alex Spanos Faye Papafaklis |
Dean Alexander Spanos, born on May 26, 1950, is an American businessman. He is known as the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Chargers football team. The Chargers play in the National Football League (NFL). His father, Alex Spanos, bought most of the team in 1984.
Dean started running the team daily in 1994. He became the president and CEO. In 2015, he gave control to his sons. After his father passed away in 2018, Dean became the full owner.
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Early Life and School
Dean Spanos grew up in Stockton, California. His parents, Alex Spanos and Faye Papafaklis, were both from Greek families.
He went to Lincoln High School. There, he played football and golf. He even received an award for his achievements. In 1972, he graduated from the University of the Pacific.
Leading the Chargers
Dean Spanos became the team president and chief executive officer of the Chargers in 1994. Under his leadership, the Chargers reached Super Bowl XXIX in their first season.
Between 2004 and 2014, the team won 113 games. This was the fourth-most wins in the league. They also won five AFC West championships and four playoff games.
In May 2015, Spanos handed over control of the team to his sons, John and A.G. However, he remained the chairman. He continued to oversee the process of finding a new stadium.
Moving to Los Angeles
In November 2016, a plan for a new stadium in San Diego did not get enough votes. Because of this, the Chargers considered moving to Los Angeles.
In January 2017, Spanos decided to move the team to Los Angeles. Many people in San Diego were upset. The city had not been able to find a stadium solution for 15 years.
The team's temporary home was in Costa Mesa. They had a 10-year lease there. From 2017 to 2019, the Chargers played their games at Dignity Health Sports Park. This was a soccer stadium.
In 2020, the Chargers' new stadium, SoFi Stadium, was finished. They share this stadium with the Los Angeles Rams.
Helping the Community
Dean Spanos and his family have done a lot to help others. In 1999, they started "Chargers Champions." This program helps local schools through the Community Foundation.
In 2014, the Spanos family gave $500,000 to the University of California, San Diego. This money was for the Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center. Their total support to UCSD reached $1.6 million.
Spanos also led the Chargers to work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in San Diego. This was to honor his wife, Susie, who survived breast cancer. He also created the Chargers Champions All-Star Gala. This event celebrates high school students and teachers in San Diego.
After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Spanos and the Chargers donated $500,000 for hurricane relief.
Awards and Recognition
Dean Spanos has received many awards for his work. In 2016, USA Today ranked him number 21 on their list of the 100 most important people in the NFL.
He was honored at the American Hellenic Council's Annual Awards Gala. This event recognizes people from the Greek-American community.
In 2006, he was appointed to the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Spanos received the Distinguished American Award from the San Diego Chapter of the National Football Foundation in 2005. He also received the Jose A. Cota Award in 2004 for his charity work and the Chargers' support of law enforcement.
In 2002, Spanos was given the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. His father had received this award 16 years earlier. He was also inducted into the DeMolay International Alumni Hall of Fame.
