By Robert Haugh
The 49ers are headed to Las Vegas and Super Bowl LVII to meet their nemesis the Kansas City Chiefs. Kudos to the players and coaches for a great comeback victory.
Meanwhile, another major news publication is reporting on the team’s feud with Santa Clara over money and stadium operations. (No, not the Mercury News).
The Wall Street Journal printed a story yesterday that was a good summary of the history between the City and the 49ers.
It’s was written by Zusha Elinson, an investigative reporter.
Unfortunately, It’s behind the paper’s paywall. The story has almost 300 comments, mostly negative about the team and its ownership.
Fortunately, Microsoft Network (MSN) has reprinted the story and it’s not behind a paywall.
Here are some of the highlights:
Money is at the core of the feud, which some say represents a cautionary tale for smaller cities looking to reel in big-ticket sports franchises. After the stadium opened in 2014, the team requested a rent reduction because the project came in under budget, but an arbitrator ruled in favor of the city.
Last year, the 49ers won a $180 million property-tax cut from the county. Throughout, the team has complained about the high cost of paying for police officers to work the games, while Gillmor has blasted the team for lower-than-projected profits from concerts held at the stadium.
“They thought they could just come in and steamroll us,” said (Mayor Lisa) Gillmor. “But I’m going to stand up when someone’s taking advantage.”
…
Roger Noll, a professor of economics emeritus at nearby Stanford University, said that Levi’s Stadium has been great for fans but not for taxpayers. “For a football fan it’s a plus, but if you’re not a football fan then it’s costing you, and that’s what the political turmoil in the city of Santa Clara is about,” Noll said.
…
(Councilmember Suds) Jain said the stadium will bring the city “immense” monetary benefits that will help fund projects like a new library and swim center after loans and other commitments are paid off about 10 years from now.
…
One of the 49er Five, Anthony Becker, who was defeated by Gillmor in the 2022 mayor’s race, was indicted last year for leaking the grand-jury report to a 49ers official before it was released, and then allegedly lying about it. Becker, who didn’t respond to requests for comment, has pleaded not guilty.
I hope this reporter will do some additional follow up. Many comments on this article asked great questions about the financial issues. The WSJ doesn’t write bottom of barrel embellished stories like Silicon Valley Voice but wants to educate people who care about the real story. The York/Santa Clara story deserves even more national attention. Let’s hope this is a positive start! Keep up great work SFChron and WSJ.
David, you are a piece of work. Do you really think this story would see the light of day if Robert hadn’t called attention to it in so many ways and so many times? You can tell yourself that if you like. I firmly believe this issue would have stayed under the rug under which it was swept without Robert’s efforts.
Mrhmyers, i didn’t mean to diss SantaclaraNews. The writer has been a catalyst to shining a light on the corruption thanks to Jed and the 49er5. No doubt.
Strange, really strange in fact.
How come no Santa Clara based publication besides yours is even discussing any of these topics?
In the same week, The Wall Street Journal and SF Gate each have Front Page stories about Santa Clara’s on going issues with the 49ers and all their incestuous involvement with our City and how it is run?
Oh joy….can’t wait for the Yes on B propaganda to start to flow.
Be prepared, it’s important to the 49ers and their business profit / loss ledger, or at least the one they show us.
In case you missed it…. I am voting No on B.
Why?
I do not want to give up my right to vote for the person who is going to run our local Police Dept. Which by all accounts is the best Police Department in the State of California.
Take a minute and ask any Police Officer either in our City or out, what they think of Santa Clara Police Dept?
Police Officers want to work for our City….We are the best place for them to work.
Best example ask just how many “lateral transfers” apply for the positions we have available. It’s huge.
Also, why would I want to give up that right?
If I do give it up, who will then take it?
The 49ers will of course. Just one less speed bump on the way to increased profits. Just one more position they can appoint to better run our City for their profit.
Come Sunday I will be at a Super Bowl party. I will be cheering for the 49ers like I have my whole life. I really hope they win.
I’m just not happy with the way the current ownership group has treated the residents of Santa Clara.
So if you have any questions on how the 49ers are doing as a business, do yourself a huge favor and don’t wast time with the local “rag” publications. Look outside of our City to get a more fair and balanced view of the issues we have and even may have if we lose our right to keep the Vote on our Police Chief and City Clerk.
All that said, of course continue to read this site.
Mr. Haugh for some reason is still running this site with no pay window, or advertisement, and has published both “Pro and Con” sides equally.
Burt Field
burt.field@gmail.com
Glad other national credible newspapers are picking up on the greedy 49ers management and the 5 puppets that support the greed. Wait another 10 years to rebuild a swim center or library? Who does that benefit? Not the swimmers currently locked out of the ISC! They will be grown and past their swimming prime in 10 years, Suds! Please don’t get re-elected.
“the stadium will bring the city “immense” monetary benefits that will help fund projects like a new library and swim center”
Well there you have it – problems solved. Just wait 10 years and it will start raining money.
Ernest Hemingway once told F Scott Fitzgerald that a writer should just write the story.
The 49er Gillmor saga is a simple story.
It is.
Lisa cares about Santa Clara. She does. Yes, LG is strong willed. Yes, she is willing to play hardball. But LG cares about Santa Clara. Kathy Watanabe cares about the Mission City. I believe Raj and Karen do as well. I know I am going to disagreement with this.
Becker, Jain, and Park don’t. They are our three Furies. But they do not spin threads of justice, just threads of corruption
The 49ers do not care about Santa Clara. Youngstown and SF are corrupt and the Yorks are comfortable with that.
Mr Haugh
Mr Vartan
have been wrong at times.
But on this issue; THEY GET IT.
Park represents area with swim center. HE HAS DONE NOTHING.
Becker throws Burt Field off Parks and Rec. DUMB
i can list six things I disagree with Burt about. BUT HE WAS AND IS AN OUTSTANDING; DEDICATED COACH AND PARKS VOLUNTEER. He deserves respect for that. Vartan is completely wrong on a few things. So am I. But Vartan has made the community a better place.
The story is Lg makes it better. 49ers could care less.