The stadium enhancements, including a new, bigger video screen, are in preparation for the hosting of FIFA World Cup matches and the Super Bowl in 2026.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor called the agreement a “loan shark” deal. The National Football League team had sued the City of Santa Clara because it wanted to pay lower public safety costs, and wanted the Santa Clara Stadium Authority to pay for the VIP buffet at games.
The Santa Clara City Council serves as the governing board for the Stadium Authority and will consider the proposed naming rights extension at its next meeting next Tuesday.
With solid re-election victories by Becker allies Raj Chahal and Karen Hardy, the 2022 election in the City of Santa Clara will result in no change in the 5-2 split in the city council.
The settlement ends five years of legal battles between the city and the National Football League team over management of the stadium, and requires the Forty Niners SC Stadium Company and its stadium management firm to pay the city $1,675,000.
The 49ers offered to pay $3.3 million to the city’s general fund, plus $650,000 to the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, which could spare the authority an additional $8.35 million in legal fees in a protracted dispute.
In December, 49ers executives Jed York and Al Guido announced their support of Cindy Chavez for San Jose mayor, and have followed up with campaign cash.
