Find out about the Los Angeles (LA) Chargers' ownership history: majority/minority shareholders.
The LA Chargers are one of the biggest NFL franchises today. Based in Greater Los Angeles, the team is part of the American Football Conference West Division.
The Chargers have been one of the most consistent teams with an impressive number of NFL playoff appearances. The team has continued to receive a significant boost amid funding from its owners.
Who owns LA (Los Angeles)?
Dean Alexander Spanos is the principal owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Chargers. He has been in charge of the franchise since 2018 after inheriting majority shares from his father, Alex Spanos, who originally owned the franchise.
According to the publication on the NFL Official Website, Tom Gores owns a 27% stake in the LA Chargers. Dean Alexander Spanos and his family hold a 69% stake. The remaining shares, which are about four per cent, are owned by legacy owners from the team's early days in San Diego.
Breakdown of LA Chargers ownership structure
Dean Alexander Spanos and family (69%)
Tom Gores (27%)
Legacy owners (4%)
Who is Dean Alexander Spanos?
Dean Alexander Spanos is an American businessman. He is the son of Alex Spanos.
Who is Tom Gores?
Tom Gores is an American businessman who is the founder of Platinum Equity. He also has an interest in sports.
Los Angeles Chargers ownership history
The Chargers has gone through a series of ownership throughout its history.
Barron Hilton (1959–1966)
William Barron Hilton was the first and original owner of the LA Chargers. He played a significant role in the foundation of the American Football League as well as the merger with the National Football League.
Barron Hilton was an American business magnate. He was offered the National Football League by Lamar Hunt in 1959 and went on to establish the LA Chargers as part of the AFL.
The LA Chargers began to play in the AFL in 1960 and went on to win the AFL West Division titles up to five times in the first six years. The Chargers also won the AFL championship in 1960.
Barron Hilton relocated the Chargers to San Diego, and the team was renamed the San Diego Chargers before selling it for $10 million to Gene Klein in 1966.
Gene Klein (1966–1984)
Eugene Victor Klein was the second owner of the LA Chargers after acquiring it in 1966. Under his watch, the Chargers won three AFC West division titles in 1979–1981 before selling the team to Alex Spanos in 1984.
Alex Spanos (1984–2018)
Alexander Gus Spanos became the third and majority owner of the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. According to a Wikipedia article, he purchased over 60% of the San Diego Chargers for Eugene Klein for $48.3 million in 1984. He later increased his stake within the next 10 years by purchasing shares held by other minority and co-owners, which increased his shares to 97%.
LA Chargers trophies
The Chargers won its national championship title during the AFL era with one title to its name. The Los Angeles Chargers, however, has over 21 appearances in the NFL playoffs throughout its history. The team has won over 21 divisional titles and one conference title.
Los Angeles Chargers history
The Los Angeles Chargers were founded in 1959. They began to play in the AFL as a charter member of the team. However, the team relocated to San Diego after just one season in Los Angeles. After years in San Diego, the team relocated back to Los Angeles and adopted its current name in 2017.