Alex Spanos

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Alexander Gus Spanos (born September 28, 1923 in Stockton, California) is an American real estate developer and self-made billionaire who owns the San Diego Chargers. He is currently married and the father of four children. He lives in Stockton, California.

According to Forbes, in 2004 Spanos was worth $1.1 billon[1]. He has written a book called Sharing the Wealth: My Story which details his rise from a moneyless man of 27 years to one of the world's few billionaires. He started and owns AG Spanos Co, one of the largest construction services companies in the United States [2]. Spanos was also the recipient the AHEPA Award, the prestigious awards to recognize members of the community for their contributions and achievements in their chosen field of endeavor. Spanos was also one of the largest contributors to George W. Bush's campaign in 2004. By contributing $5 million to 527 groups that supported the Bush campaign in 2004, Spanos ranked among the top five GOP donors. President Bush appointed Spanos to the Kennedy Center board in 2004.

In 1997, San Diego taxpayers agreed to spend $78 million to renovate the Chargers’ Qualcomm Stadium in return for a pledge that the Chargers would stay in San Diego until 2020. The city also agreed to buy any leftover tickets that the Chargers do not sell at games. By 2000, however, Spanos was complaining that the team needed yet another new stadium. This apparently was news to the NFL, which already had planned to hold the 2003 Super Bowl at the old stadium. Wildfires that torched San Diego in 2003 have made it all the harder for Spanos to make a case for public funding of a new Chargers stadium, despite threats that he might move the team to Los Angeles.