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November 11, 2006

49ers to SF: Okay, okay, we'll talk

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and U.S. House Rep. Nancy Pelosi - who apparently doesn't have anything better to do with her time - have arm-twisted San Francisco 49ers owner John York into reopening talks for a new stadium in San Francisco, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "The doors definitely are not closed in San Francisco, and we are continuing to talk to the city to see what we can work out," 49ers spokesperson Lisa Lang told the paper.

San Francisco Gavin Newsom sounded less than thrilled, though, about the turn of events. As the Chronicle coyly put it:

While on Thursday the mayor angrily denounced the team's decision to move to the South Bay and vowed that the city would explore legal options to keep the Niners from leaving, on Friday he referred to the meeting as "great," "nice" and "not supposed to be made public."

State assemblymember Mark Leno, meanwhile, announced he'd introduce legislation allowing the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to block any sports team that does not play within the city limits from using San Francisco's name. Given that "San Jose 49ers" doesn't have quite the same cachet as the current moniker, let's just say it'd be an interesting arrow to put in the city's quiver.

COMMENTS

How can the city of SF ban a private entity from using the name of SF? Isn't there the First Amendment. One loophole I guess is the 49ers can call themselves the San Francisco Bay 49ers. I do not think the city has control over using the name of a body of water.

Posted by Michael on November 13, 2006 12:09 PM

You're right Michael. After all, the Devil Rays play in St. Pete while the Buccaneers, Lighting and Storm play in Tampa, nevertheless all are identfied as Tampa Bay. It makes for a more regionalized name.

Posted by Roberto on November 13, 2006 05:26 PM

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