He was 95. Few matched the benevolence and philanthropy that Alex and his late wife Faye, who were married for more than 69 years, displayed throughout their lives in supporting deserving institutions and community-service efforts. Alex Spanos was a shining example of how the American spirit of hard work and determination can pay off for those willing to follow their dreams. These acts of caring demonstrate the commitment of a man whose rags-to-riches story has served as an inspiring example for others. "I always believed in the pursuit of one's dreams. Played college football at University of Puget Sound. [2] He invested his earnings in real estate and at the suggestion of his tax accountants, started to build apartments. [3] Spanos earned varsity letters in swimming and diving at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and later distinguished himself as an amateur golfer. In 1951, at the age of 27, Spanos decided he could no longer support his growing family on $40 per week working in his father's bakery. "Alex Spanos is an American success story, driven by a tireless work ethic inspired by humble beginnings as the son of Greek immigrants," Goodell said. Alexander Gus Spanos (September 28, 1923 – October 9, 2018) was an American billionaire real estate developer, founder of the A. G. Spanos Companies, and the majority owner of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). "I always believed in the pursuit of one's dreams. Spanos purchased 60 percent of the Chargers in August 1984 from majority owner Eugene Klein for $70 million, the culmination of a lifelong dream to own an NFL franchise. [16] According to friends, he had been brokenhearted by the death of his wife two months earlier. Spanos' community spirit and generosity are renowned. In 1984, Spanos bought 60% of the San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers) from majority owner Eugene Klein for $48.3 million. As a result, he borrowed $800, purchased a used catering truck and set out on his own by providing catering and support services for the migrant farm workers in California's Central Valley. © 2020 Chargers Football Company, LLC. After building a nationwide construction empire based in Stockton, his Northern California hometown, […] The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Spanos was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2005. COSTA MESA, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers announced the death of team owner Alex Spanos on Tuesday. Now what? The pinnacle of Spanos' ownership was the Chargers reaching the Super Bowl after the 1994 season. From the time he was 8, he baked bread and cakes before school, often rising before dawn. Green happy to 'feel like my old self again', Jets still attracting Super Bowl bets ... seriously, Eagles WR Travis Fulgham's globe-trotting, odds-defying rise to the NFL, McClure, ESPN Falcons reporter, dies at 48. We all benefited from Alex's compassion, character and zest for football and life. Southern Californians have Spanos to thank for the huge economic windfall of two Super Bowls (1998 and 2003) and a Republican National Convention in San Diego. Spanos family tree includes four children (Dean, Dea, Alexis, Michael and their spouses), 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Devin Bush's injury is one of Steelers' worst fears realized. In addition to the millions of dollars donated by Spanos throughout the country, the Chargers Community Foundation, which he established, has delivered more than $13 million to help San Diego and Los Angeles youth by supporting education as well as health and fitness programs. Tannehill for MVP? [14], Spanos resided in Stockton, California. Alex and Faye Spanos married in 1948, raised four children -- Dean, Dea, Alexis and Michael -- and became prolific philanthropists, donating to causes related to schools, children, the arts and hospitals. [3] According to Forbes, as of 2015 the Los Angeles Chargers are worth $995 million. He was 95. Spanos's mother even left the family home for two years and attempted to take two children with her, but his parents reunited when he was a teenager and remained married until his death. While he remained active for many years in business matters related to the team, Spanos turned over the day-to-day management of the Chargers to his eldest son, Dean, before the start of the 1994 season. [11][better source needed] By contributing $5 million to 527 groups that supported the Bush campaign in 2004, Spanos ranked among the top five GOP donors. Spanos' amazing journey and his passion for giving back is outlined in his autobiography, "Sharing the Wealth: My Story," a compelling first-hand account of the events and decisions in his life that became his basic fundamentals for success. Alex Spanos, the son of Greek immigrants who used a self-made fortune from construction and real estate to buy the Chargers in 1984, died Tuesday. "He was a marvelous friend and partner, whose impact on the NFL will never be forgotten. On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our deepest condolences to Dean, the entire Spanos family and the Chargers organization.". Over the next decade, Spanos bought out shares of several minority owners and now owns 97 percent of the team. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Covered Seahawks for Tacoma News Tribune for six seasons. In 1951,[3] he borrowed $800 from a local banker to buy a truck which he then used to sell sandwiches to migrant farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley. Generation generation). [3][6] The corporation is based in Stockton and has 10 subsidiaries. Spanos also received the AHEPA Award, an award that recognizes members of the community for their contributions and achievements in their chosen field of endeavor. The Chargers announced Spanos’ death. All rights reserved. [citation needed], He had written a book called Sharing the Wealth: My Story which detailed his rise from a moneyless man of 27 years to become a billionaire. Spanos was born in Stockton, California to a Greek family,[2] the son of Greek immigrants, Constantino and Evanthia Spanos. [citation needed], In 1948, Spanos married Faye Papafaklis. Zeke on Dallas loss: 'I'm sorry; this one is on me', In rarity, Chiefs turn to ground game in victory, Murray still perfect at AT&T Stadium as Cards roll, Allen says Bills 'can't afford' his recent struggles, Source: Titans face fine as NFL ends virus audit, 49ers RB Mostert dealing with high ankle sprain, Belichick effusive in praise for 'great' TE Kittle, Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury's beautiful mind, Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes fastest to 90 touchdown passes, Barnwell's NFL hot seat ratings: Who could get fired (or benched), plus fixes for each, Fantasy football waiver wire for NFL Week 7: Travis Fulgham, Justin Herbert among top pickups. Alex Gus Spanos was born Sept. 28, 1923, in Stockton. From those humble beginnings, Spanos' tireless work ethic built one of the leading real estate and development companies in the industry and ultimately positioned him as patriarch of one of the most accomplished and philanthropic families in the United States. [1] He owned property in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of his more generous contributions resulted in the opening of the Alex G. Spanos Heart & Vascular Center in Sacramento. "Alex became one of the country's most successful businessmen, but he never forgot his roots and the call to help others. Faye Spanos died earlier this year, in August, at the age of 92. The remaining 3% was held by San Diego restaurateur George Pernicano, an investor in the team since a few years after its inception, until Pernicano's death in October 2016;[7] and Bill Fox, a local community leader, until his death in 2020. In buying the Chargers, I've been able to realize a dream," Spanos said upon purchasing the team in 1984. [12] In his autobiography, Spanos credits his wife with much of his success and stated that the couple did not recall "one real argument. In 1994, ten years after purchasing the team in 1984, Alex turned over the day-to-day operations of the Chargers to his oldest son, Dean. Today, joining Dean in steering the direction of the organization are Alex's son and Vice Chairman, Michael Spanos, and grandsons A.G. and John Spanos, Presidents of Business and Football Operations, respectively. [8] Since 1993, Spanos's son Dean has handled the daily operations of the franchise. [9], Spanos donated $500,000 to renovate the Fox Theatre in downtown Stockton, and with the approval of the City of Stockton, renamed the facility the Fox California Bob Hope Theatre. [3] His father owned a bakery[2] where the young Spanos started working at the age of eight. Spanos had a seven-way heart bypass in 2000,[3] and has had surgery and undergone chemotherapy for colon cancer. The A.G. Spanos organization, including the Chargers, is a family-run operation. "Alex became one of … Spanos was the first person to be on the winning teams in both the Bob Hope Desert Classic in Palm Desert (1977) and the Bob Hope British Pro-Am (1980). It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Alexander Spanos, the longtime owner of the San Diego Chargers, died on October 9 at the age of 95. [10], Spanos was one of the largest contributors to George W. Bush's re-election campaign in 2004. "[13] Faye Spanos died on August 7, 2018, aged 92. Spanos' personal commitment to quality and integrity continues to be carried on by his family in the daily operation and management of both the Los Angeles Chargers and A.G. Spanos Companies â one of the nation's largest family-owned builders specializing in the construction of multi-family housing and master planned communities.
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