The price of beer during 49ers games at Levi's Stadium this season will go from $10.25 to $10, and the cost of bottled water will be cut from $5.75 to $5, one of several new measures taken in "response to the concerns about the Santa Clara sun beating down on fans," according to a front-page piece by Mark Purdy of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. The new price points "should speed concession lines, now that cashiers don't have to fish out quarters to make change." One of the team's other remedies for the heat is "more friendly scheduling." 49ers COO Al Guido said, "We can control the kickoff times for preseason games. So we set those to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for our two this time." The 49ers also asked NFL schedule makers to "cut them a break," and as a result, the season opener is the late window "MNF" game. There also will "only be two afternoon home games before November." Guido said that the team has "formed a new '49ers Cool Crew' of employees who will provide fans with disposable cooling wipes, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm and hand fans if requested." Fans will "be permitted to bring empty water bottles into the stadium that can be refilled at venue water fountains" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/18). In S.F., Eric Branch noted Levi's Stadium enhancements also include "more exit lanes" from two parking lots to "allow faster exiting via Great America Parkway." Fans arriving within the first hour of the parking lots being open will "be allowed to park freely in their designated lot instead of being directed to a spot." There also will be "over 100 new Wi-Fi access points" at the stadium (SFGATE.com, 8/17).
ALL THE SENSES: In S.F., Ron Leuty noted Levi's Stadium concessionaire Centerplate is "introducing its crab sandwich," a favorite at AT&T Park, as well as "curry fries, street tacos and Tostitos nachos." It also will offer "combo-meal discounts on the traditional hot dog and soda." Meanwhile, some 1,400 seats were "installed in former standing room only sections." A limited number of the new seats -- "mainly placed to meet Super Bowl 50 requirements -- will be sold for single games at $85 to $350." In addition, in-stadium music this season will be "more diverse and lower ... on the volume dial." Guido: "On the concourse, sometimes it got too loud" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/17).
