In a decision based on "equal parts income and logistics," the Univ. of California announced Tuesday that its '14 home football game against the Univ.of Oregon "will be played at the 49ers' new home in Santa Clara, Levi's Stadium, on Oct. 24," according to John Crumpacker of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The Friday night game "will be televised by either ESPN or Fox" and will be the "first college football game" at the $1.2B stadium. The game was booked by 49ers COO Paraag Marathe "on behalf of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority." When Cal hosted Washington in a Friday night game at Memorial Stadium in '12, Cal officials "learned that having tens of thousands of fans streaming onto campus in the afternoon while school is in session caused logistical problems, with parking prime among them." Cal AD Sandy Barbour said, "We have to figure a way to successfully host occasional weeknight games with minimal disruption to the normal schedule for the university and surrounding community." The change of venue also is seen by Barbour "as an opportunity to make more money than what is ordinarily generated by a home game." Cal will "still play six football games at Memorial Stadium" in '14 (SFGATE.com, 11/26). In California, Lauren Hepler noted season-ticket holders for Cal home games "will have to pay extra for the Levi's Stadium game, though students will get access to discounted tickets and free transportation to Santa Clara." Levi's Stadium PSL holders also will "have priority access to tickets for the game" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/26).
