Searching for ways to satisfy both the 49ers' desire for a
proposed new $250M stadium and taxpayers' "possible reluctance to
pay for it," San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has begun "wooing"
the MLS San Jose Clash to move to San Francisco, according to
Giesin & Epstein of the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. Clash GM Peter
Bridgwater said that he, Brown and MLS Exec Mark Abbott discussed
the team while lunching on Tuesday, but that "nothing has come
out of it." Bridgwater: "It makes sense to talk to other people
[about stadium sites]. Although we are about to enter
negotiations with Spartan Stadium, we wanted to see what others
had to offer." Giesin & Epstein note the Clash pays the third-
highest rent in the league and has to pay for its own security
and clean-up. Brown reportedly would like the team to move to
3Com Park and then play in any new facility. News of Brown's
meeting with Bridgwater was "unwelcome" in San Jose, where City
Council member Pat Dando said, "This just shows how desperate
Mayor Brown is" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/11). Brown responded: "I
don't think they're allowed to vote in San Francisco. ... I want
every sports team I can get my hands on ... being as attentive as
I am to homeless issues, if that team becomes homeless, I will
attend to its plight" (Edward Epstein, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE,
9/12).
