In 1949 the San Fransisco 49ers became the first professional sports franchise in the city by the bay. This team has been a staple of southern California and is embedded into the culture of the city. From 1979 – 1998 everything the 49ers touched was golden, including the facility. Throughout the past ten years the team that shined ever so brightly has lost its luster. The facility is now among the worst in the league. The scale is beginning to lean ever so further to the team packing up and heading to Santa Clara. Owners Denise and John York still consider Santa Clara as their number one option if no reasonable deal can be reached about the stadium. It is vital to the city’s economy that the red and gold remain by the bay. San Fransisco is among nations 15 largest cities and sports are as entrenched into the soul of the city as the Beatles are.
Lets just say that for theoretical purposes that 1 win in the NFL is worth 200,000 dollars of “city equity” and that 1 Super Bowl win is worth 3 million dollars. Now that the team is struggling to make deposits into the equity bank, they should be allowed to dip into their savings. That’s why we all are supposed to pay ourselves before we pay our bills. The 49ers should have accumulated quite savings account throughout the 80’s and 90’s. City officials should be escorting Mr. and Ms. York to the equity bank to make a withdrawal. It’s a cut and dry matter as far as I’m concerned. I am however optimistic that the two sides will reach an agreement that will keep football in the Bay area.
Recent drafts do have the team moving ever so slowly in the right direction. With the 29th pick in the draft the team did add 6′5 300 pound defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer. Balmer a is a beast in the trenches and has the potential to tally up 4 or 5 sacks a season as well. Balmer had the uncanny speed and athleticism in college to wreak havoc on opposing offensive coordinators. If Balmer produces as expected it could allow defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to better take advantage of the athletic and versatile Patrick Willis.
