Resolution Reached in Legal Battle Between San Francisco 49ers and Santa Clara Over Levi’s Stadium Operations
Santa Clara, California – After years of legal battles and acrimony between the San Francisco 49ers and the city of Santa Clara over the operation of Levi’s Stadium, a settlement has finally been reached, bringing an end to the lingering litigation.
The latest round of legal entanglements centered around disputes over public safety costs for NFL games and reimbursements for food buffets. The settlement, announced last week by Santa Clara City Manager Jovan Grogan, is projected to bring $20 million in revenue to the city’s general fund over the next two years.
The Santa Clara City Council voted 5-2 to approve the settlement, with Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kathy Watanabe casting dissenting votes. The settlement includes amendments to the Levi’s Stadium lease, such as increasing the threshold for the 49ers to pay for police services during games and reducing the amount owed by the Stadium Authority to the NFL team.
One of the key points of contention was the cost of food buffets for Stadium Builder’s License holders, with the Stadium Authority now set to pay a fixed cost per game for these amenities in certain VIP sections.
While the city and the 49ers have hailed the settlement as a positive step towards collaboration and partnership, not all council members are convinced. Mayor Gillmor criticized the deal as a “loan-shark type deal” and expressed concerns about the financial impact on taxpayers. Councilmember Watanabe also voiced opposition, stating that the settlement gives the 49ers a discount on public safety costs and could compromise stadium safety.
Despite the differing opinions on the settlement, both the city and the NFL team are looking forward to moving past the legal disputes and focusing on a new phase of cooperation. Jihad Beauchman, executive vice president and general counsel for the 49ers, emphasized the importance of putting an end to the litigation and working towards a positive relationship with the city.
As the dust settles on this long-standing legal battle, the residents of Santa Clara can hope for a more harmonious future between the city and the beloved NFL team.