Chargers owner Dean Spanos relinquishes control of team to sons

San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos will no longer oversee day-to-day operations for the franchise, ceding control of the team to his sons.

Spanos will remain as the Chargers' chairman of the board. John Spanos will become the Chargers president of football operations and Alexander Gus Spanos will be named president of business operations.

"It's their decision and their time," Dean Spanos said to ESPN's Jim Trotter. "If they have to come to me, then why am I doing this? That's what my dad said when he made me president (in 1994): Do what you want."

Dean's father, Alex, purchased the Chargers in 1984. Alex Spanos allowed his son to take control of football operations in 1994.

"One of the most important things I've seen is that they have the respect of the people they work with, in this organization and at the league office," Dean Spanos said. "They are very confident in what they're doing. They work well with the people in their respective departments, and they work together well. That's very important."