https://simplecast.com BOLTED BOLTED is a six-part docuseries podcast from BLEAV Podcast Network that chronicles the rise and fall of the San Diego Chargers, the fight to keep them that split a city in two, and the aftermath that left a football team without fans, and football fans without a team. Dozens of former players, staff, politicians, reporters, and academics all weigh in for this story of money, power, and a little bit of football. © Bleav Podcast Network en Wed, 19 Jul 2023 23:50:06 +0000 Tue, 9 Sep 2025 05:12:30 +0000 https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/ BOLTED https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/fc831d86-9de8-4927-be84-fd657759e13c/2e105e89-1cdb-4bf1-84b4-6926dfe3637b/3000x3000/9b0d29c6b3e57205203b99625f500d25e296d054865de75048b373b06b376cef6ea534a74b1fd0be6ed5fae15ca7a9705306ca2ece4e892234d46aed57e3e4d2.jpeg?aid=rss_feed https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/ episodic BOLTED is a six-part docuseries podcast from BLEAV Podcast Network that chronicles the rise and fall of the San Diego Chargers, the fight to keep them that split a city in two, and the aftermath that left a football team without fans, and football fans without a team. Dozens of former players, staff, politicians, reporters, and academics all weigh in for this story of money, power, and a little bit of football. Bleav true https://feeds.simplecast.com/Qd16R8SL Chargers, Los Angeles Chargers, San Diego Chargers, NFL, Los Angeles, San Diego Bleav Podcast Network admin@bleav.com 63642886-4dff-4a95-aae6-2e9e060d5653 BOLTED: The Saga That Made San Diego a Football Widow – Trailer Wed, 19 Jul 2023 23:50:06 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/?post_type=gp_podcast_episode&p=18 BOLTED: The Saga That Made San Diego a Football Widow – Trailer Bleav Podcast Network 00:02:56 A look into what's to come on BOLTED A look into what's to come on BOLTED false full gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/lwreU5nz5SIMWGcSbCTywqK0g4aYuPKVfFJhtOJ-MaI Chapter 6 - The Fight for Nothing 2017. What was once unthinkable has become reality. The San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers’ move is the NFL’s grandest experiment yet. A test of civic pride, media market rights, and real estate deals. Money, power, and just a little bit of football. In our final episode, we'll look at where things stand. What happens when one city loses its team and another city gains it? How has that move redefined success for the NFL in the future? And how does San Diego move on as America's biggest football widow?


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.

Snakebite.coffee -- Small batch roasted coffee delivered fresh to your door!


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Additional Music by Daniel Birch

Audio in this episode from: The Dan Patrick Show, ABC News, Fox Sports San Diego, NBC Sports, EA Sports, CBS Sports, and Faulconer for Governor 2022



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 6 Apr 2021 09:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/episodes/chapter-6-the-fight-for-nothing/ 2017. What was once unthinkable has become reality. The San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers’ move is the NFL’s grandest experiment yet. A test of civic pride, media market rights, and real estate deals. Money, power, and just a little bit of football. In our final episode, we'll look at where things stand. What happens when one city loses its team and another city gains it? How has that move redefined success for the NFL in the future? And how does San Diego move on as America's biggest football widow?


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.

Snakebite.coffee -- Small batch roasted coffee delivered fresh to your door!


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Additional Music by Daniel Birch

Audio in this episode from: The Dan Patrick Show, ABC News, Fox Sports San Diego, NBC Sports, EA Sports, CBS Sports, and Faulconer for Governor 2022



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 6 - The Fight for Nothing Bleav Podcast Network 00:52:14 What was once unthinkable has become reality: The San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers. What was once unthinkable has become reality: The San Diego Chargers are now the Los Angeles Chargers. san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles true full 6 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/o1yFHLqOAVLeGHcKwA5h5wC0M6gLByH7rbBbOK9QA0Y Chapter 5 - The Definition of Insanity January 2015. New San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer triumphantly declared in his first State of the City address that he would be assembling a group of civic leaders to “keep the Chargers in San Diego where they belong.” But the Chargers were no longer the only team eyeing a move to Los Angeles. The Rams and Raiders, former Angelenos themselves, were also mulling a move back. This episode chronicles the final two years of the San Diego Chargers. When the city was confronted with the errors of its past, the political and financial realities of its present, and the great unknown of its future, and the team was faced with its ultimate choice.


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: KPBS, Spencer Mosher, Marty Caswell, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/episodes/chapter-5-the-definition-of-insanity/ January 2015. New San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer triumphantly declared in his first State of the City address that he would be assembling a group of civic leaders to “keep the Chargers in San Diego where they belong.” But the Chargers were no longer the only team eyeing a move to Los Angeles. The Rams and Raiders, former Angelenos themselves, were also mulling a move back. This episode chronicles the final two years of the San Diego Chargers. When the city was confronted with the errors of its past, the political and financial realities of its present, and the great unknown of its future, and the team was faced with its ultimate choice.


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: KPBS, Spencer Mosher, Marty Caswell, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 5 - The Definition of Insanity Bleav Podcast Network 01:06:09 The climactic final two years of the Chargers in San Diego. The climactic final two years of the Chargers in San Diego. san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles true full 5 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/jgGfwzF53Jg-X22zfJGY-_G62cLZ4HKth7m_QwPDSGU Chapter 4 - Masters of Disaster By the start of the 21st century, the Chargers franchise was in shambles. They were the worst team in football, playing in an aging and increasingly obsolete stadium. But change was coming. On the field, the organization underwent one of the most successful rebuilds ever accomplished in football, producing a dominant team that won five AFC West titles in six years. Off the field, the Chargers hired longtime political messaging wiz Mark Fabiani to get a stadium deal done. What could possibly go wrong?


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: C-SPAN, ESPN, ABC, CBS Sports, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 23 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/episodes/chapter-4-masters-of-disaster/ By the start of the 21st century, the Chargers franchise was in shambles. They were the worst team in football, playing in an aging and increasingly obsolete stadium. But change was coming. On the field, the organization underwent one of the most successful rebuilds ever accomplished in football, producing a dominant team that won five AFC West titles in six years. Off the field, the Chargers hired longtime political messaging wiz Mark Fabiani to get a stadium deal done. What could possibly go wrong?


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: C-SPAN, ESPN, ABC, CBS Sports, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 4 - Masters of Disaster Bleav Podcast Network 01:07:34 The Chargers bring in leaders on and off the field to rise to dominance in mid-2000s. What could possibly go wrong? The Chargers bring in leaders on and off the field to rise to dominance in mid-2000s. What could possibly go wrong? san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles true full 4 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/d7X0OiBjoktnDj3W7i3uU_hxRExO4QH3l8d-u9Sbl3E Chapter 3 - Time Bombs As the nineties came to a close, two parallel crises were slowly building in San Diego. The first was at City Hall, where the city’s pension system was pushing the city to the brink of financial ruin. The second was with the Chargers, whose elite prospect QB Ryan Leaf was about to take the field. We talk to Leaf, and the policymakers who were there.


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the code BOLTED.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Additional Music by Jordan Krimston and Daniel Birch

Audio in this episode from: KPBS, ESPN, KUSI, KFMB-TV, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/episodes/chapter-3-time-bombs/ As the nineties came to a close, two parallel crises were slowly building in San Diego. The first was at City Hall, where the city’s pension system was pushing the city to the brink of financial ruin. The second was with the Chargers, whose elite prospect QB Ryan Leaf was about to take the field. We talk to Leaf, and the policymakers who were there.


This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the code BOLTED.

BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Additional Music by Jordan Krimston and Daniel Birch

Audio in this episode from: KPBS, ESPN, KUSI, KFMB-TV, and the City of San Diego

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 3 - Time Bombs Bleav Podcast Network 01:00:42 Bad football and bad politics in the late 90s and early 00s poisons the well in San Diego. Bad football and bad politics in the late 90s and early 00s poisons the well in San Diego. san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles true full 3 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/CeipcHc-tzp50pVdr-FNlz41-8T-WQitwzqVmU3m1rs Chapter 2 - The Bottom Line In 1984, majority interest in the Chargers was bought by Alex Spanos, a construction magnate who rose from rags to riches. But how did the Spanos family first accumulate their fortune? How did their management style influence their conduct as owners? And what happens when a team of underdogs finds themselves playing in football’s biggest game?


This episode’s sponsors include:


MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.


BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts


EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor


Produced by Ben Stein


Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor


Audio in this episode from: KNSD, KGTV, KFMB, Alecs Peralta, and the Prelinger Archives

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 9 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/ In 1984, majority interest in the Chargers was bought by Alex Spanos, a construction magnate who rose from rags to riches. But how did the Spanos family first accumulate their fortune? How did their management style influence their conduct as owners? And what happens when a team of underdogs finds themselves playing in football’s biggest game?


This episode’s sponsors include:


MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the promo code BOLTED at checkout.


BetOnline.ag - Your Online Sportsbook Experts


EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.


Written and edited by Raphie Cantor


Produced by Ben Stein


Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor


Audio in this episode from: KNSD, KGTV, KFMB, Alecs Peralta, and the Prelinger Archives

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 2 - The Bottom Line Bleav Podcast Network 00:55:55 A look at the Spanos Family and the 1994-1995 AFC Champion Chargers A look at the Spanos Family and the 1994-1995 AFC Champion Chargers san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles false full 2 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/LwtM89VRFE0RkKnxfSGMlP9yxMWUxjKqHb-hJn9AXRA Chapter 1 - Identity Theft January 12th, 2017. The San Diego Chargers of the NFL packed their bags after 56 years of calling San Diego home, and headed north to Los Angeles. But to understand why, we have to go back decades, even centuries. How is the history of these two cities intertwined by centuries of a bitter rivalry? How did the Chargers come to call San Diego home? And how were the seeds for disaster planted generations before they would bear fruit?

This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the code BOLTED.

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.

Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: The Prelinger Archives, KPBS, KGTV, KFMB, and NFL Films.



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 9 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/episodes/chapter-1-identity-theft/ January 12th, 2017. The San Diego Chargers of the NFL packed their bags after 56 years of calling San Diego home, and headed north to Los Angeles. But to understand why, we have to go back decades, even centuries. How is the history of these two cities intertwined by centuries of a bitter rivalry? How did the Chargers come to call San Diego home? And how were the seeds for disaster planted generations before they would bear fruit?

This episode’s sponsors include:

MANSCAPED.com - Get 20% off and free shipping with the code BOLTED.

EBay.com/sneakers - The World’s best destination for discovering great value and unique selection.

Written and edited by Raphie Cantor

Produced by Ben Stein

Mixing and Original Music from Jordan Cantor

Audio in this episode from: The Prelinger Archives, KPBS, KGTV, KFMB, and NFL Films.



See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Chapter 1 - Identity Theft Bleav Podcast Network 00:44:43 What is San Diego's identity as a city, and how did it lose a large part of it -- its football team? What is San Diego's identity as a city, and how did it lose a large part of it -- its football team? san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles false full 1 gid://art19-episode-locator/V0/PwWDqgxrEFFN4_pG8KiLwHjChG_jNlEigGzJSJQ9Z1A BOLTED: The Saga That Made San Diego a Football Widow - Trailer BOLTED is a six-part docuseries podcast from BLEAV Podcast Network that chronicles the rise and fall of the San Diego Chargers, the fight to keep them that split a city in two, and the aftermath that left a football team without fans, and football fans without a team. Dozens of former players, staff, politicians, reporters, and academics all weigh in for this story of money, power, and a little bit of football.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> Tue, 9 Feb 2021 01:05:29 +0000 admin@bleav.com (Bleav Podcast Network) https://bleav.com/shows/bolted/ BOLTED is a six-part docuseries podcast from BLEAV Podcast Network that chronicles the rise and fall of the San Diego Chargers, the fight to keep them that split a city in two, and the aftermath that left a football team without fans, and football fans without a team. Dozens of former players, staff, politicians, reporters, and academics all weigh in for this story of money, power, and a little bit of football.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

]]> BOLTED: The Saga That Made San Diego a Football Widow - Trailer Bleav Podcast Network 00:01:59 A look into what's to come on BOLTED. A look into what's to come on BOLTED. san diego chargers, san diego, nfl, los angeles chargers, chargers, los angeles true trailer