The 49ers could find themselves in Santa Clara playing home games in the very near future. There is a 68,500-seat stadium being planned right now and a deal could be sealed in a couple weeks. With that in mind, the 49ers could very well be playing their last few seasons in San Francisco before making a move down to the South Bay. But how is this possible?
"The 49ers see that the economic downturn means that there is less money available (from Santa Clara), but they've stepped up and said they will make a deal work," Santa Clara councilman Moore said.
Of course, nothing can really get going until a deal is finalized and that there are enough votes to make it happen. Keeping the 49ers in San Francisco is a huge priority as well. As much as it would be nice to keep the 49ers in San Francisco, Santa Clara offers a ton of opportunities.
A new stadium is something the team has been desperately trying to get and if Santa Clara is the only place to make it happen, it might just be enough to convince the team to move. But also, the move could also allow the 49ers to help generate revenue. The 49ers have been one of the worst teams in terms of generating revenue in recent years. A new stadium with a new audience could very well open up doors for the team.
The problem that comes with a new stadium is the reaction of the fans. I currently live in San Jose and it would be extremely convenient for me to go to 49ers games right in Santa Clara. But for many other fans that are from the San Francisco area or even the East Bay, a trip to Santa Clara would be frustrating for games. Given the fact that many people have to travel more than they are used to, how much would that affect the situation?
I've always believed that if the 49ers were to be called the "San Francisco 49ers", then they should remain in San Francisco. They have been the San Francisco 49ers in their entire existence. A move to Santa Clara would be very difficult to market.
But then again, it's not something new. The New York Giants and New York Jets don't play in New York; rather they play in New Jersey for their home games. The Dallas Cowboys don't actually play in Dallas, but they play in Irving.
It's not a new concept, but it's something I hope that can be avoided. A new stadium was something that I had hoped for since I was a kid, but I never imagined that it would mean the 49ers would have to move cities. It's a tough bullet to bite if the 49ers were to leave San Francisco.
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Mark Sanchez, USC QB
Andre Smith, Alabama OT
Michael Oher, Ole Miss OT
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech WR
Comments
Samuel, since you don't go to all the niner games, can I borrow your press pass so I can go down on the field during the game?
Yes it would be sad if they left SF but along with the bad comes the good. And in this case I think the good out-weighs the bad. Think of the new stadium, the new parking lot, the new atmosphere, no more SF traffic to deal with. Also I think that Santa Clara is actually closer to where most of the Niner fans are anyway. San Jose and the rest of the South Bay can more than compensate for the lost SF fans, and the SF fans don't even have to go that far anyway. I live near Modesto so it would be just that little bit further for me. But there have been talks to make a big Highway that connects the Central Valley to SanJose so if that ever came true the stadium would be no more than 1/2 hour away.
I'm from NY and it really doesn't matter as long as it makes a big difference for the Niners itself and for the NFL. Traveling is just from point A to point B so in that case for me, I have to travel by plane. People need to understand that this has to do what is best for the team to make its revenue and so forth. People are just lazy to travel if they have to whine just for a 2 hour drive. Besides, my goal is to plan on going to each 32 teams stadiums before I die. I've been to SF once this past July. I'd love to see a Niner game at their stadium once I have a chance. peace out go Niners!
No SF traffic? Have you been on the 101 in santa clara lately?
For me, the issue isn't whether the 49ers play in San Francisco or Santa Clara. What's important, is whether a small municipal government, like the City of Santa Clara, is able to afford throwing taxpayer dollars at a near $1 billion project. Every analysis has concluded its impossible. In fact, the city's own consultant determined the project, over the useful life of the stadium, will yield a net loss of $71 million for the taxpayers. The Yorks, are utilizing Al Davis style economics, to get Santa Clara to fork over close to $600 million to build a stadium that the will provide profit for the 49ers and no one else. In addition, the City of Santa Clara will be running budget deficits for the next five years. Does this sound like a city that is in financial shape to provide a taxpayer giveaway to the 49ers? The stadium project, makes no economic sense. It will straddle Santa Clara taxpayers, will a long term debt that will directly impact the general fund. Unless Santa Clarans, are prepared to pay higher taxes, or accept reduced services, they should reject this proposal.
I can hardly fathom the stupidity of our Santa Clara City Council out here trying to dump some multi billion dollar 49er stadium smack down on it’s citizenry. Maybe this City Council should get out more and start driving about the area, not to notice all the businesses closing up shop, houses for sale on most every block, or all those struggling just to keep a roof over their heads after having lost their jobs. Reality is, the way things are going, the only ones going to be left in the area will be, all these millions of H1B Visa workers, and just how many of them would be willing to shell out for some 49er game?
Keep the 49ers in SF where they belong, “Santa Clara can’t afford it”.
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