Chargers president: 'I like North County a lot'

San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos spoke publicly for the first time Friday regarding Oceanside's bid to build an NFL stadium.

"I like North County a lot," Spanos said, noting the advantage Oceanside has with the issue of location. "It's a very interesting prospect and an interesting situation up there."

Oceanside, along with Chula Vista and National City, are contemplating hosting a replacement for Qualcomm Stadium. Although talks for all three locations are in the early stages, Spanos seems intrigued with the site near Oceanside Boulevard and Interstate 5.

"Obviously, North County is closer to Orange County, so there is a huge market we may be able to tap into," said Spanos, who rarely speaks to reporters about the Chargers' search for a new stadium. He has offered little insight into the process other than the glowing comments he made about Chula Vista and National City officials on the Chargers' Web site in early November.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell added Friday that he's intent on keeping the Chargers somewhere within San Diego County.

"From the NFL standpoint, we want to do whatever we can to support the team in that market," Goodell said. "(The Chargers) are working hard to stay in that market. They have, for several years, been focused on various stadium alternatives that they think will work for the stadium and the team. My hat's off to (Spanos)."

If something isn't worked out in San Diego County, Las Vegas is among cities interested in pirating the Chargers from San Diego.

Goodell, though, didn't sound optimistic about an Las Vegas-based NFL team.

"I feel strongly about keeping a very strong line between the NFL and sports gambling, and sports betting," he said. "I think it is a real issue. I don't think it's in the best interests of the NFL to have an association with sports betting.

"I think we are working hard with all of our franchises now to stay where they are. To stay competitive and successful in those communities and make those communities even better. We are going to work hard to try to keep our teams where they are."

Location seems to be Oceanside's great strength, with its key drawback the size of the city-owned golf course. At about 70 acres, the site limits the Chargers in their quest to build an adjacent mixed-use development to pay for the estimated $700 million venue.

But Spanos said that obstacle isn't a deal-breaker. In some scenarios, the stadium could be at one location and the mixed-use development at another.

"I think if we do a project, it is probably going to have to be a regional effort," Spanos said. "In other words, the county is going to have to step up and help us if it can; maybe the city of San Diego," he said.

"Because we are talking about probably some sort of development project, so maybe the project is somewhere else in the county that would help us subsidize the cost. To me, I think we are all looking at this as a regional entity."

Spanos expects Oceanside to remain a player throughout the process.

"It's still too early to say anything right now," he said. "But all three (cities) have been great to work with and have shown a sincere interest. I think they are all legitimately trying to get something done, which is really refreshing.

"But we will have to wait and see (with Oceanside). But its geographical location is probably its biggest attribute."