The team and its owners spent $15.5 million in political contributions from 2009 to 2023.
The York family and various dignitaries break ground on the new 49ers stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Thursday, April 19, 2012. Left to right: Santa Clara city Councilman Kevin Moore, former Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan, current Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews, 49ers co-chairperson Denise DeBartolo York, 49ers owner Jed York, 49ers co-chairperson John York, Santa Clara city Councilwoman Lisa Gillmor and Santa Clara city Councilman Pat Kolstad.
Longtime Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, an avid 49ers fan, had a front-row seat to the team’s early political forays in Santa Clara. He recalls John York making a visit to his office, seeking help with finding a site for a stadium — Stone had been part of several failed attempts to bring a Major League Baseball team to the South Bay.
But in 2020, the 49ers’ spare millions came back into play in Santa Clara. The team once again cranked up their political spending, shelling out $3.6 million on city elections that year, supporting four Santa Clara City Council candidates, and a local ballot measure, and opposing four other City Council candidates. The team also donated several hundred thousand dollars to campaigns outside of Santa Clara that year.
“You’re talking about two points of power and influence, and there is no more influential sports organization in the United States than the NFL. Obviously, the influence that comes from elected office is significant, so there’s a mutually beneficial relationship to be found there,” he said. “I think as a mayor you want your councilmembers to put the city first and the residents first, naturally,” Gillmor said. “To have one special interest in your community just to take over and dictate what the future is going to be in your city is alarming. I think now our residents are starting to really see what is happening, and what that means in terms of allegiance to the community and the lack of it from the ’49er five’ members of our council.
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