The 49ers' stadium plan "is back on track," but there
are "no guarantees that the complex will ever be built,"
according to Edward Epstein of the S.F. CHRONICLE.
Following a meeting between S.F. Mayor Willie Brown, NFL
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, 49ers Interim President Larry
Thrailkill and Board of Supervisors President Barbara
Kaufman, there were "repeated pledges" that the team is "not
for sale and will not move." Brown, on the stadium project:
"Will tomorrow happen? I hope to hell it does, but I'm not
guaranteeing it." Thrailkill, who had not spoken to Brown
until the meeting, "apologized" for the lack of
communication, and said the two will now meet "at least
twice monthly." Thrailkill added that the team "will soon
hire a top executive solely to oversee the stadium project"
(S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/19). Tagliabue: "The team is staying
here. Any talk of the team relocating is a waste of time."
Tagliabue also said that 2003 Super Bowl will remain in
S.F.: "That remains our commitment" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 9/20).
AT WHAT PRICE? Thrailkill "acknowledged" that the $500M
cost estimate he made three weeks ago "was too high." He
said the 49ers were "committed to building a stadium" for
$325M and hoped to break ground next fall. In S.F., Lewis &
Brazil reported that Thrailkill "appeared ill at ease"
during the press conference following the meeting, and "his
answers were murky." On at least two occasions, Tagliabue
"intercepted reporters' questions to Thrailkill and
admonished the questioners for bringing up issues he deemed
untimely." Mayor Brown said the press "had taken advantage
of Thrailkill's inexperience" (S.F. EXAMINER, 9/19).
