Like crap, that’s how it sounds. There has been some serious consideration for a few years now, about moving the San Francisco 49ers to Santa Clara from their current home on Hunter’s Point in the great city of San Francisco. I understand the politics behind it; I know this is the new reality for multi-million dollar sports franchises. I’m sure the 49ers have tried to work something out with the City by the Bay, my only hope is that they keep working at it. It would be very sad to see the most popular team in the Bay Area, abandon the only home it’s ever known.
Since 1946, the 49ers have been in San Francisco. Five Super Bowl titles later, they are still there, but for how long? Not only are they the oldest sports franchise to call the Bay Area home, they are the most successful. The colors Garnett and Gold are staples in this city and there’s no reason to erase them now. The fans have been as devoted as any throughout the franchise’s tenure, and although Santa Clara is not a long drive from San Francisco, the mere thought of the ‘Santa Clara’ 49ers just doesn’t sound right.
It’s no secret that CandlestickPark (I refuse to call it MonsterPark, or whatever lame name it goes by now) is as run-down as any venue in the league. Anyone who has attended a game knows traffic is a nightmare on Sunday’s, but where is it not? Even with all of the problems the current home of the 49ers has, it is still just that, home. I’m not an expert in renovations, nor am I an expert in building new stadiums, but it seems to me, it would be far cheaper to renovate the current site than to build a new complex from scratch. The $845 million price tag on the shiny, new stadium tells me that.
I’m not a season ticket holder, heck, I haven’t even been to a game in almost 10 years, but I’m still a 49er fan. Just because I’m not willing to drive two hours and can’t afford to shell out over $400 for my family and I to go to a game doesn’t make me any less of a fan. I still realize sports are a business and a new stadium, however expensive, will bring in tons of money, especially if they are serious about making it a two-team site along with the Oakland Raiders, whose current lease in Oakland ends in 2010, but to move because you don’t have enough luxury boxes for the corporate big wigs who could care less about the game is disgusting.
The proposed 68,500 seat stadium, if accepted, will be owned by the city of Santa Clara and rented out to whoever wants a sparkling new home. June 2nd, as in, today, the city council is scheduled to have a vote, if it passes, then it is assumed that in March of 2010, the issue will be voted on by the public. If that passes, then the new home of the possibly-soon-to-be Ex-San Francisco 49ers is slated to be ready for the 2014 home opener. Obviously there are many bumps, or giant potholes, in the road to traverse before this all becomes reality, but talks are serious.
The 49ers headquarters is in Santa Clara, so it does make business sense to move the team to the same location (same city, not property), but if the team really cares about its fan base, it will work it out with San Francisco. Mayor Gavin Newsome, who has aspirations of becoming State Governor in the near future, needs to do everything in his power to keep the team in SF. Renovating the current site, tearing it down and completely rebuilding the current stadium, or finding a totally new location, whatever, just keep the team in San Francisco. I hate to compare this situation to the SF Giants because they are completely different, but they made it work, so it is not impossible.
I don’t think I am alone when I say if the 49ers move, there will be a lot of fans who are not only disgusted by the greed involved, but very disappointed by the current management regime who has run the once-proud franchise into the ground. Things are looking up, with Singletary as Head Coach, but there is still a ways to go. Yes, they will acquire new fans, simply because of the relocation and shiny new facilities, but they will also lose some of their most devoted following. I, for one, will be crushed if they move. Like I said before, I know its all business, but it’s pathetic that they haven’t been able to work something out with the city they have called home for more than 50 years.
Written by MC Homer, Tuesday June 02 2009
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6 comments
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I'm sorry, I think that's lame. I believe they should get a new stadium, but keep it in SF. Another downtown project or where it already is on Hunters Point, at least it could help begin to clean up that neighborhood. Unfortunatly, in the end, I do believe they will move away from SF. Possibly LA in a couple years? They will have a new stadium. Hope not, but stranger things have happened... These Yorks run the team like a bunch of fourth graders.
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Even the cockroahes are leaving San Francisco in embarassment.
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I love San Jose or Santa Clara. The 49ers would not have change the SF on their helmet. Quite simply the "S" can stand for Santa Clara or San Jose and the "F" can stand for Forty Niners. The 49ers should distance themselves from San Francisco. That city and name has become a degrading joke around the country.
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I really like the two-team stadium idea. The biggest problem there is where to put it. I say float it in the Bay, either on Alcatraz or another island, and put a huge parking lot on each side. Fans can tailgate, then take a ferry to the game. It'll save both teams, and cities, money, plus the A's can renovate their current stadium.
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I honestly don't care what they do, as long as they don't leave SF.
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Well, there are a few points I wish to contend here. I am against the Niners moving, but I am for a new stadium. I think Gav will do better for his gubernatorial run if he DOESN'T approve a new stadium. Anything where tax payer money is used is not good political form these days. I'm pretty sure the name will stay the same (SF 49ers), but I don't like the "same name, new city" thing. The A's are trying to pull the same shit, but luckily, no other city will have them. So far, everyone who is not a York or a Santa Clara city official is against the Great America build. The drive for me would be about the same, minus a bridge toll, so moving from Candlestick (which the stadium does go by again) wouldn't be too bad, personally. But the winds off the Bay play a major part in the home-field advantage, and I don't think that should be thrown to the wayside. It's a tough situation, made tougher by the economy, but the Niners have needed a new stadium for 15 years, so what's another five?