The team said that the design of the stadium, along with FAA regulations, makes renovations impracticalGETTY IMAGES
After "soliciting the opinions of numerous architects and civil engineers, the 49ers found there is no reasonable way to provide shade for those who sit in the sunny seats on the east side of Levi's Stadium," according to Matt Maiocco of NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com. 49ers President Al Guido said that the team has "investigated all solutions to provide relief from the heat." But the "design of the stadium, along with FAA regulations, makes all possible renovations or construction impractical." Guido: "We're committed to making their experience as best as it possibly can. We understand there might be a game or two early in the season that might be warm. We cannot add shade. We cannot build a roof." The 49ers have "taken some measures, including scheduling preseason games later in the day." One improvement for fans is the "pricing of bottled water at games." The 49ers provide free filtered water on the concourse, and Guido said that the price of cold, bottled water has been "dropped from $6 to $2." But any "construction elements, such as a tarp to provide shade to a large portion of the fans," have been "deemed unworkable." Guido cited the stadium's proximity to San Jose Int'l Airport, saying, "A lot of it stems from FAA regulations. Structurally, what I can tell you is even if you could do it, it would take years to get something up there. To hang something 230 feet, 240 feet from the air, it has to be a structure. It can't be a sunshade or an umbrella or anything along those lines. It has to be substantial." Maiocco noted it also was "deemed impractical to install misting devices to blow damp air over those sitting in the stands" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 8/9).
RENT & RAVE: In San Jose, Emily DeRuy reported an arbitrator determined that the 49ers "should pay nearly $300,000 more in rent annually" on their 40-year lease at Levi's Stadium, ending a "years long dispute" between Santa Clara and the team. The decision "shows that the team will pay" $24.762M annually, up from the $24.5M the team had been paying to the city's Stadium Authority. The annual increase is "nominal considering the magnitude of the overall payment, but the decision is another marker in the relationship between Santa Clara and the 49ers, which has become fractious in recent years" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 8/11).
GET IN THE SWING OF THINGS: A Topgolf Swing Suite will open this season at the Michael Mina Tailgate loft event space at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers' venue becomes the first football stadium to install Topgolf's newest product offering. The space will open ahead of the 49ers' first regular-season home game this fall. Information on booking reservations is now available at LevisStadium.com. The Hawks also are opening a Topgolf Swing Suite as part of the Philips Arena renovations (THE DAILY).
