Santa Clara just set an attendance record with the Ed Sheeran concert at Levi’s Stadium. More than any Super Bowl, competing concerts or attractions, Levi’s Stadium set the record with more than 83,000 attendees.
Thank you, City Council, thank you 49er Management Company, and, thank you City residents for having the foresight and fortitude to vote for your own stadium.
Now it is true that Santa Clara is earning millions from these events. However, there is a caveat in the stadium contract. Only 50% of the net profit from non-NFL stadium events goes to the City’s general fund (the other 50% goes to stadium maintenance).
In light of Santa Clara’s budget shortfall, you might think the millions coming from the stadium would lighten up the budget deficit. In fact, Mayor Lisa Gillmor asked that very question at a city council meeting recently. It appears that Santa Clara is contractually obligated to pay off the stadium before any additional money can be directed to the City.
When that was discussed at a recent council meeting, Mayor Gillmor commented, “Well, I didn’t know that.”
Council Member Suds Jain turned to the mayor and said, “You should know that Madam Mayor, you signed the contract.”
This weekend was the Art and Wine Festival producing a fabulous and fun time. Thousands of fans flocked to the festivities, feasting on fantastic, flavorful and familiar foods. Santa Clara’s nonprofits worked at the booths and were the beneficiaries of the revenues. Santa Clara Rotary operated the wine booth and didn’t seem to lack customers. (After all, it is the Art and WINE weekend.)
Another element to keep things rocking was the music. Playing to a filled pavilion in the park, dozens danced, sang and tapped their toes as the band played on. What a great sound!
Hats off to the city staff, the volunteers, the vendors and the people who participated in preparing all the parts that made this weekend the event of the year. Thank you.
Then, the weekend was capped off by the SF Forty Niners who faced their fearless foes, the Los Angeles Rams. Brock Purdy, that third string quarterback and the last man drafted to the NFL, played like a seasoned veteran, ripping the Rams in a game too close to call.
Considering all these activities, there’s not much that Santa Clara is leaving out.
