First it was the San Francisco Giants who left the windy confines of Candlestick Park (and yes, I still call it Candlestick) and now apparently it’s the 49ers turn to jettison.
49ers owner John York had been in discussions with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on building a new stadium for his team in Candlestick Pointe. But according to SFGate.com, York has had enough with the talks and has decided to move the team to Santa Clara.
But in his calls to the mayor and to supervisors, York repeatedly said that his decision was final. The team could not stay in San Francisco, he said, because the stadium deal “didn’t pencil out” and because provisions for transportation and parking at the proposed site at Candlestick Point were inadequate.
In his calls, York complained that the proposed parking garage outside the stadium would mean the end of the traditional pregame tailgating parties and lead to traffic jams.
Not that this would be a catastrophe-type move like Art Modell uprooting the Browns to Baltimore virtually over night. But it’s still sad to think the 49ers won’t be playing in the same ballpark Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and John Taylor help build a great history in. Although, it’s not like the current 49ers are helping build new lasting memories now are they?
