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 May 26, 1950) is an American businessman. He is the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Chargers football team. This team plays in the National Football League (NFL). His father, Alex Spanos, bought most of the team in 1984. Dean Spanos started running the team's daily business in 1994. He was the president and CEO. In 2015, he gave control to his own sons. After his father passed away in 2018, Dean became the full owner.
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Growing Up and School
Dean Spanos grew up in Stockton, California. His parents were Alex Spanos and Faye Papafaklis. Both of his parents had Greek family roots.
He went to Lincoln High School. There, he played both football and golf. He even received an award from the Lincoln High Hall of Fame. In 1972, he graduated from the University of the Pacific.
Leading the Chargers Football Team
In 1994, Dean Spanos became the team president and CEO of the Chargers. His father gave him this role. From 2004 to 2014, the Chargers won many games. They won 113 games during this time. They also won five AFC West championships. The team won four playoff games too.
In May 2015, Spanos gave control of the team to his sons, John and A.G. However, he remained the chairman. He continued to oversee the plans for a new stadium.
Moving the Team to Los Angeles
The Chargers had been in San Diego for a long time. They needed a new stadium there. In November 2016, a plan to build a new stadium in San Diego failed. Voters did not approve it. This made the Chargers think about moving to Los Angeles.
In January 2017, Spanos decided to move the team to Los Angeles. Many people in San Diego were upset about this. They felt sad that the team was leaving. For 15 years, different stadium plans had failed in San Diego.
The team set up a temporary office in Costa Mesa. This was a 10-year lease. From 2017 to 2019, the Chargers played their games at a soccer stadium. This stadium was called Dignity Health Sports Park.
In 2020, the Chargers' new stadium was finished. It is called SoFi Stadium. The Chargers share this stadium with another team, the Los Angeles Rams. The stadium is owned by a partnership. This partnership includes the Los Angeles Chargers.
Giving Back to the Community
Dean Spanos and his family have helped many people. In 1999, his family started "Chargers Champions." This program helps local schools. It works through the Community Foundation.
In 2014, the Spanos family gave a large donation. They gave $500,000 to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). This money was for the Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center. Their total donations to UCSD reached $1.6 million.
Spanos also led the Chargers to work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This foundation helps people with breast cancer. He did this to honor his wife, Susie. She is a breast cancer survivor. While he was with the Chargers, Spanos created a special event. It was called The Chargers Champions All-Star Gala. This event honored high school students and teachers in San Diego. After Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, Spanos and the Chargers donated $500,000. This money helped with hurricane relief.
Awards and Special Recognition
Dean Spanos has received many awards. In 2016, USA Today newspaper ranked him. He was number 21 on their list of the 100 most important people in the NFL. He was also honored by the American Hellenic Council (AHC). This group recognizes people of Greek-American background.
In 2006, he was asked to join the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This center is in Washington, D.C. In 2005, Spanos received the Distinguished American Award. This award came from the San Diego Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He also won the Jose A. Cota Award in 2004. This award was for his giving to charity and the Chargers' support for law enforcement.
In 2002, Spanos received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. His father had received this award 16 years earlier. He was also added to the DeMolay International Alumni Hall of Fame.
