Training Camp and Parking Lots

Well, I drove to Santa Clara early Saturday morning for training camp. The drive down took more than 50 minutes but less than 1 hour door to door (from Cow Hollow/Russian Hill). About what I expected. I was just as interested in seeing the proposed stadium site up-close as I was the four guys in black shirts out there (7,13,14,11) and Frank Gore.  

 Until today, I've thought the 49ers were going to be choosing between good (Santa Clara Stadium) and great (San Francisco Stadium).  After I walked from my car to the training camp fields to the proposed stadium location, I turned to my wife and said, "this is a total sh*thole".  Instead of views of the San Francisco Cityscape, or the bay, or the water at least (I love you, AT&T Park, if only you could be home to the 49ers too) you maybe get a roller coaster and a Bass Pro Shops and/or Cabelas (if you build it, they will come).  I guess when we get to host a Super Bowl in 2020 the Versus VS Network cameras will spend a week shooting footage to play so the viewers think they're seeing action from San Francisco and not, well, somewhere else.  No offense to Kansas City -  where she's from - but the

Happy Birthday Carter

just wanted to give a shout out to my friend Carter . . . who never forgets my birthday. with or without facebook or other technological advances (so much for that theory about memory . . . ). I hope you're free on on Sunday 10/11 as I'm taking you to the Atlanta Falcons v San Francisco 49ers game for your birthday this year. No Chick-Fil-A, but nothing is perfect. YITB amigo.

What We Think - Day 30

the fans, the 49ers and the NFL deserve better than just good. especially with respect to the 49ers “quest” for a new stadium. the city of San Francisco, the Yorks and the 49ers need to understand that and come together. its true that the 49ers represent Northern California (agreed) but the Santa Clara stadium site is no closer to most of them and its a staggering 43 miles from San Francisco City Hall. The average distance in the NFL is about 7 miles (from a team’s stadium to its respective City Hall). The proposed site would be the farthest in the NFL by far. I’ve heard good things about Jed York, including that he’s passionate and smart. And this stadium issue is complicated. Jed no doubt understands it much better than I do (I’d love to talk to him to understand what’s really going on . . . ). but why not go for better than just good? Good is the Santa Clara Stadium. Good is making the playoffs. Great would be a new stadium of striking design and location in the world-class city of San Francisco (Hunter’s Point) that serves as the centerpiece for a new community. One that revitalizes a key area of the city’s spectacular waterfront and its people . . . one that makes the next five Super Bowl trophies more meaningful than just a game (savethe49ers.com).

Online Advice for Savethe49ers.com

Just wanted to share this greatly appreciated input and advice from Alessandro De Zanche, owner of and founder of Fastbreak Digital, the first online marketing consulting company exclusively dedicated to the Sport industry, on savethe49ers.com and the situation in San Francisco/Santa Clara.  From his blog: http://www.fastbreakdigital.com/blog/?p=43.

Big Thanks to the Chronicle . . . !

Thanks to the SF Chronicle for some incredible coverage of the stadium plan and the issues surrounding it, and perspectives from everyone from Gavin Newsom to yours truly at www.savethe49ers.com.  The Chronicle is running five consecutive days of stories (beginning yesterday/Sunday July 12).  Will post links shortly, but here is the story today: Niners fans sound off about the move Tom FitzGerald, Chronicle Staff Writer Monday July 13, 2009.  You can go to www.sfgate.com and find the coverage in the meantime.