Los Angeles Chargers owner is sued by his sister in a legal battle for control of the franchise

Dean Spanos is being sued by Los Angeles Chargers co-owner and sister, Dea Spanos Berberian, for control of the family trust that owns the largest share of the franchise. 

The siblings were named co-trustees of the trust after the deaths of their parents in 2018. The family trust holds a 36% ownership stake in the team. Separately, each of the four Spanos children own 15% of the Chargers with the remaining 4% being owned by parties outside the family.

Berberian is accusing her brother of going against their parents wishes and behaving in a misogynistic manner and breaching his fiduciary duty in his role as controlling owner. In response, Dean and the other Spanos siblings, have released a statement that they stand united in honoring their parents and grandparents’ wishes in ownership and operation of the team.

This week, Berberian has agreed to allow the NFL to arbitrate the manner.

For more Information:

See Kevin Dotson, “Los Angeles Chargers owner is sued by his sister in a legal battle for control of the franchise,” KTVZ News, June 10, 2022.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Florida Probate Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/trusts_estates_prof/2022/06/dean-spanos-is-being-sued-by-co-owner-and-sister-dea-spanos-berberian-for-control-of-the-family-trust-that-owns-the-largest.html