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York relishes vote that propels new stadium
By TOM WILLIAMS
HOWLAND
San Francisco 49ers president Jed York is enjoying one of his best moments since becoming the team’s top executive 18 months ago.
Two weeks ago, the city of Santa Clara voted by a 58-42 margin to approve a deal that would allow the 49ers to build a $937 million stadium adjacent to the team’s headquarters and training complex.
“We’re excited that we had the positive vote a few weeks ago,” said York at Monday’s Edward J. DeBartolo Foundation banquet at Leo’s Ristorante. “Obviously, now the next piece is financing the stadium. We’re hoping to put shovels into the ground in 2012 and complete the stadium by 2014.”
Since York’s parents — Marie Denise DeBartolo York and John York — took over the team in 1999, the 49ers have been pursuing a new stadium to replace aging Candlestick Park.
“It was a great day,” Jed York said of the vote. “We had put in so much work ... building relationships with the community.”
In the past 13 years, the Yorks have awarded more the $450,000 in scholarships to Mahoning Valley students.
“This is something that my grandfather started before I was even born so to be able to carry on something that he started so long ago and to continue to give back to Youngstown, I think it’s very important to me and my family,” York said. “And we’re happy that we can bring the 49ers back to Youngstown and really make a unique event.”
Among the players attending the banquet, offensive tackle Alex Boone and tight end Delanie Walker admitted they are cutting back because a lockout is looming for March.
“That’s the hot talk right there — don’t buy anything, just don’t,” said Boone of the advice veteran players are giving out. “As much as you want something, you don’t buy it. The older guys I’ve been talking to, they’re [advising] to save as much as you can because you’re going to need it if this lockout happens, Heaven forbid.
“To be honest with you, as much as people say baseball is America’s game, I think football is. I don’t know what people would do with a season without football,” Boone said. “I don’t know what they would think and I don’t know how many people we would lose.”
Walker, who is preparing for his fifth season, said he’s trying to block out the dark cloud hovering over the NFL.
“I’m not thinking about it because we’ve got the season coming up and I want to make [Coach Mike] Singletary happy,” Walker said. “With my financial adviser, we’re taking precautions on this lockout. I’m trying to save my money the best I can. The lockout is not a real big concern for me right now. When that time comes, I’ll deal with it the best I can.”