Anderson’s Representative Calls Offer ‘Unacceptable’

The Chargers’ efforts to sign running back Gary Anderson of the Tampa Bay Bandits were stalled Friday when the player’s agent balked at the terms submitted by team owner Alex Spanos.

George Kalafatis, Anderson’s representative, called Spanos’ offer “totally unacceptable” and said he would not be bound by the team’s 5 p.m. Tuesday deadline to accept the proposal.

Spanos on Thursday worked out a deal with Tampa Bay’s new majority general partner, Lee Scarfone, for the contractual rights to Anderson and said he had made an offer to the player.

Kalafatis and Spanos refused to disclose the terms of the Charger offer, but sources indicated it is a four-year contract valued at about $2 million, including a signing bonus. Anderson has one year left on a four-year, $1.4-million contract with Tampa Bay, and it is believed the San Diego offer would be for at least $500,000 more over a four-year period.

“They have presented numbers which are totally unacceptable,” Kalafatis said. “If we can’t come to terms with San Diego, Gary has an existing contract with Tampa which he will honor.

“We don’t in any way feel pressured by a deadline set by the Chargers. We don’t feel any anxiety in regard to a deadline.”

The agent said Anderson does have concern about the future stability of the USFL.

“We are all anxious about the uncertainty over the future of the league,” he said. “We would all like to see the league survive. It creates a lot more jobs for football players.”

Spanos said Thursday he would under no circumstances consider trading the rights to Anderson if he is unable to sign the player.