When many people outside of southern California think of San Diego in terms of sports, they instantly think of what it used to be. This is expected on some level, as the city is no longer home to a team in the highest-profile sport in America, football, after the San Diego Chargers departed for Los Angeles in 2017.
Yet, despite San Diego being home to only one major professional sports franchise -- Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres -- the city is still a major sports player, according to David Malcolm, a San Diego entrepreneur and community leader.
"San Diego doesn't often get the recognition of other major sports cities, like Los Angeles, which is now home to eight major professional sports franchises," says Malcolm, a long-time San Diego sports enthusiast. "But many people overlook just how big a 'player' San Diego really is on the national sports scene."
The Chargers called San Diego home for more than 55 years. Through the years, the team had some of the NFL's greatest players, including multiple Hall of Famers. The team only made it to one Super Bowl, in 1995, and lost, but they had many successes on the field.
Ultimately, it didn't end well, with the team moving to Los Angeles following the 2016 season. In the wake of that move, people have argued whether San Diego really is a sports region.
The San Diego Padres are drawing plenty of national attention and proving that the city is a sports destination.
The team is full of star-studded players who draw international attention to the city because of where they're from.
"The Padres have been able to attract some of the biggest names in baseball to San Diego because of an ownership team that will do what it takes to field a first-class team," says David Malcolm. "Now, many baseball prognosticators believe the team is primed for a World Series title in the near future."
Aside from the team itself, its home stadium of Petco Park was yet again voted the best ballpark in the United States by USA Today. It's a beautiful stadium located in the heart of downtown, with views of San Diego Bay.
The San Diego State University Aztecs also brought a lot of attention to the city. As a five-seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the Aztecs overcame all odds to reach the Final Four and the final game. While the team ultimately fell short of the title, it still had an amazing season.
San Diego State University last fall unveiled its new Snapdragon Stadium. This state-of-the-art outdoor venue is bound to attract even more sports enthusiasts to the region. Malcolm played a crucial role in securing a $15 million donation from Dianne Bashor towards constructing this stadium in Mission Valley. As a result of this contribution, the stadium now proudly bears the name "Snapdragon Stadium," with "Bashor Field" gracing the playing surface.
In addition to the above, San Diego hosts the annual Farmers Open Golf Tournament, Breeders Cup horse races, and much, much more.
Many skeptics will point to the fact that San Diego is the largest city in America that has not had a team win a Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Championship, or Stanley Cup. But there are plenty of great things on the horizon.
Malcolm holds the belief that the city is a top-tier sports region that will maintain its status for the foreseeable future. He emphasizes the primary objective of sports as being focused on youth development and character building. According to him, sports serve as a platform for collective efforts towards a shared goal, which is why he and his spouse, Annie, take great pride in endorsing two gymnasiums and the local YMCA.
David Malcolm of San Diego is an influential real estate professional, entrepreneur, and community leader with over five decades of work experience. Mr. Malcolm is an esteemed graduate of Harvard Business School's Presidents Program, a licensed real estate agent and broker, and a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He has run and advised multiple public and private companies and held several municipal and statewide public offices.