Stadium Deal Reaches 2 Minute Warning

Exerpt from The San Francisco Chronicle

The 49ers' season kicks off out at Candlestick Point tonight, but it's the clock counting down off the field that has team owner John York pacing the sidelines. York has imposed a tight deadline of 2012 for a new stadium to be ready for the team, and with good reason. The Niners' lease at the decrepit, half-century-old 'Stick (right) expires in 2011, and York & Co. would be required under their deal with San Francisco to sign on for another five years if they stay beyond that date. Plus, every year of delay adds to the cost of a new stadium at York's preferred Santa Clara location, which already is priced at a whopping $853 million.

"It not only gets more expensive in terms of the cost of construction, but also in terms of lost revenues you are experiencing," said former 49ers executive Carmen Policy, who notes that the team already makes less than most pro football franchises. But winning this stadium game may be even tougher than winning the Super Bowl.

For starters, Santa Clara city officials don't expect even to complete their preliminary assessment of the 49ers' plan to build a 68,000-seat stadium (left), next to Great America until year's end. And even if the City Council likes what it sees, officials say they will need several more months to negotiate a final deal. That deal, in turn, is almost certain to have to go before the voters, something sources close to the team now predict may not happen until November 2008 or later. The team also needs to conduct an environmental impact study that takes a year or longer, and might not even begin before the voters have their say.

Put it together, and you have construction starting around 2010 or beyond.