Resolution Reached in Legal Battle Between San Francisco 49ers and Santa Clara Over Levi’s Stadium Operations

The San Francisco 49ers and the city of Santa Clara have finally put an end to years of legal battles over Levi’s Stadium. The latest settlement resolves disputes over public safety costs for NFL games and reimbursements for food buffets, bringing in $20 million in revenue for the city over the next two years.

The Santa Clara City Council approved the settlement in a 5-2 vote, with Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kathy Watanabe dissenting. The agreement sets a new threshold for the 49ers to pay for police costs at $360,000 per game, reducing the Stadium Authority’s reimbursement obligations and adding a $4 per ticket surcharge for non-NFL events.

The settlement also addresses the cost of food buffets for Stadium Builder’s License holders, with the Stadium Authority now responsible for a fixed cost of $90,000 per game for certain VIP sections. The 49ers praised the deal, stating it puts an end to all remaining litigation and looks forward to a new phase of collaboration with the city.

However, not everyone on the council is pleased with the settlement. Mayor Gillmor criticized the deal as a “loan-shark type deal” that requires repayment, while Councilmember Watanabe expressed concerns about the discount on public safety costs and the impact on taxpayers. Despite the differing opinions, the resolution marks a significant step towards ending the acrimony surrounding Levi’s Stadium and fostering a new partnership between the 49ers and Santa Clara.