Citing gross mismanagement and a lack of transparency, Santa Clara leaders voted to terminate their contract with the San Francisco 49ers for all non-NFL events at Levi’s Stadium on Tuesday. That means no more concerts or non-NFL sporting events managed by the team.
In a statement, the city said the stadium has been losing millions, resulting in a violation of Measure J. They refuse to provide the documentation the city is asking for.
The city’s vote followed an embarrassing snafu with the Rolling Stones. After a concert that involved mix-ups, mistakes, and confusion, the band’s manager indicated they would not return. And it’s not the first time the stadium has frustrated musical performers.
The 49ers issued a defiant statement regarding the city’s latest move.
“After City Manager Santana’s dysfunction with respect to stadium events was exposed, she has chosen to spiral even further,” the team said Tuesday. “Her actions are purely retaliatory, and we are not surprised that she has commenced yet another legal battle. She is abdicating her fiduciary duty by destroying a city asset for petty, political vendettas."
One day later, the city announced it would take legal action to prevent the team from running any non-NFL events.
That led to this statement from the 49ers Wednesday:
“The 49ers Management Company will continue to manage Levi’s Stadium and attract the greatest events in the world to the Bay Area.
The City’s latest announcement is just another step in a self-destructive process they began years ago as part of a petty political vendetta. All of those efforts failed, just as this latest attempt will also fail.
The City’s legal case, such as it is, is in direct violation of the clear language of the relevant contracts. We are entirely confident that we will prevail in this dispute.”
Read more at the Mercury News.