Critics continue to oppose San Francisco 49ers move to Santa Clara

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

November 11, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The fallout over a late Wednesday announcement that San Francisco 49ers co-owner John York plans to move the team's stadium to Santa Clara continues to mount with lawmakers and ex-players pulling out the yellow flags.

Yesterday, recently re-elected state Assemblyman Mark Leno pledged to push legislation that would prohibit a professional sports franchise from using a city's name unless the team plays within the city or county limits.

Also, former 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott shared his thoughts on the abrupt announcement, saying a move would seriously hamper the city's 2016 Olympics bid.

Lott, who is part of the 2016 Olympics bid committee, said there were several businesses and individuals, including former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, ready to get involved with committee before this announcement.

"All these people signed up thinking they were going in one direction and now, as we all heard yesterday, they are going in a different direction," Lott said in a statement.

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly also got involved in the fray with comments yesterday at City Hall.

"The York family should be ashamed of themselves," said Daly, who said city leaders should do everything in their power to keep the team at Candlestick Point.

Leno's bill may not be able to keep the team in the city, but he said today that legislation could protect the city's long-time reputation for quality.

"The name San Francisco has cachet all over the world as a number one destination spot," Leno said. "I don't think San Francisco's name should automatically be able to be used by a franchise that is not located in the city."

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