By Robert Haugh
Jed York wants Santa Clara taxpayers to pay for the 49ers’ office rent and stadium security. The potential bill? Nearly $28 million to $48 million — and that’s a low estimate.
According to a Mercury News story posted Friday morning by reporter Caelyn Pender, the 49ers have filed an arbitration case demanding $1.24 million in back rent and $620,000 annually going forward.
The team is also pursuing a separate dispute seeking another $400,000 annually for round-the-clock armed security at Levi’s Stadium.
Combined, the two demands would cost the public agency more than $1 million annually.
If the 49ers prevail on both demands, the estimated cost through 2052, when the current stadium lease expires, would be approximately $27.8 million, including the back rent.
And if the team exercises all five of its four-year lease extensions, the combined cost could climb to approximately $48.2 million.
Those are low-end projections. They assume no increases in rent or security costs over the next 26 to 46 years. They do not account for inflation or other potential cost increases. The actual dollar amounts could be substantially higher.
The Santa Clara Stadium Authority rejected the team’s rent demands during budget hearings in both 2025 and 2026.
But the 49ers apparently aren’t taking no for an answer.
The team moved its business offices out of Levi’s Stadium into a 52,000-square-foot building on Great America Parkway. The Stadium Authority wasn’t consulted about the move.
Now the 49ers want the public agency to help pay the rent.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor questioned the demand.
“Why are we paying their rent?” Gillmor told the Mercury News.
According to Pender, the 49ers filed their rent arbitration in July. The Stadium Authority formally opposed the claim in August. An arbitrator was assigned October 7.
The security dispute remains in pre-arbitration.
Gillmor also questioned why the arbitration had been kept from public view.
“Keeping this quiet from the public is wrong,” she told the Mercury News.
Maybe the 49ers Executive Mgmt team will pay for all the good people of Santa Clara to get a LEGITIMATE Massage:
San Francisco 49ers CEO and principal owner Jed York was arrested on August 23, 2026, during an undercover prostitution sting in East Palestine, Ohio, as detailed in reports from NBC News and CNN. [1, 2, 3]
Arrest and Legal Outcome
NFL Discipline
Timeline: York voluntarily stayed away from the team and league meetings, meaning three of the missed games counted toward his suspension. He is eligible to return on October 20, 2026
Suspension & Fine: The NFL suspended York for six regular-season games and fined him $500,000 for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy. [1, 2]
I’ve been a devout 49ers fan for over 50 years and have attended over two dozen games during this period, including two games this year. I only mention this because I took my grandson to his first regular season game along with two others and in short, the total cost came to over $2.2K for 4 tix (reasonable location), lunch, etc…
The 49ers franchise is making enough money from ticket sales, shared revenue from huge multi-billion dollar contracts with the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Prime, etc),
as well as, sales of memorabilia, food concessions, etc., etc., etc.
The point is there is absolutely NO Justification that warrants the good people of Santa Clara to pay for the “I’ve been a devout 49ers fan for over 50 years and have attended over two dozen games during this period, including two games this year. I only mention this because I took my grandson to his first regular season game along with two others and in short, the total cost came to over $2.2K for 4 tix (reasonable location), lunch, etc…
The 49ers franchise is making enough money from ticket sales, shared revenue from huge multi-billion dollar contracts with the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Prime, etc),
as well as, sales of memorabilia, food concessions, etc., etc., etc.
The point is there is absolutely NO Justification that warrants Santa Clara “taxpayers to pay for the 49ers’ office rent and stadium security. The potential bill? Nearly $28 million to $48 million”. It’s absolutely absurd!
Signed: Concerned Santa Clara Voter
Soo, The San Francisco9ers are…….🥺
gosh, what would Gary do?
Why in the world would the City of Santa Clara even entertain that idea?
If this passes through City Council (which it better not!!) and arbitration, then every taxpayer in this City should get 2 season passes and a parking pass in exchange.
absolutely insane. Jed York needs his head examined. They play in our city, they should pay their own rent and security. This is just common sense peeps.
Then tell voters to stop voting in puppets bought to do Jed’s bidding.
On Sept 18 there was a report on NBC Bay Area that the Niners opened the “Elevate Club” an exclusive speakeasy type bar in the space where they used to have stadium operations employees who they moved out to rented space. So they want the Stadium Authority to pay their rent for the employees that they moved. The Stadium Lease already allocated space for their employees at the Stadium. Now they want Santa Clara to effectively subsidize the new club by paying for offsite rented space. We have to elect a council that will stand up to this nonsense.
All the MORE reason to get Hardy and Chahal off the council. We know how they love to vote in favor of the Niners. If we get Madej, Inciatre and Kertes voted in, there will be no rubber stamping of their requests. VOTE!!!!!