49ers get state’s OK to sell tickets, but Santa Clara County says no
The last 49ers player on the field after Sunday night’s 2416 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t break stride as he sought out a camera to send a message.
“Faithful,” the 49ers quarterback yelled while pointing at the lens. “We miss you, baby. That was for you guys.”
But it will be weeks, and possibly months, before the Niners’ Faithful are allowed back into Levi’s Stadium — even as the state announced Tuesday that limited capacity would be allowed for outdoor professional sports.
Almost as soon as the 49ers were given hope that they could resume selling tickets on a limited basis, Santa Clara County health officials slammed the brakes on the process.
“It not only boggles the mind, it’s just unconscionable,” said County Executive Dr. Jeff Smith, speaking on behalf of Dr. Sara
Cody, the county’s lead public health officer, who was in a board of supervisors meeting.
“Basically, they’re putting lives at risk,” he said. “People who think they’re safe are going to be at risk. People, at home, not just the people who attend the games, will be at risk. And we haven’t even opened schools. We are still worried about businesses being able to survive. It makes no sense, whatsoever, to have audiences at stadiums.”
Around noon Tuesday, the California Health and Human Services Department said professional sports teams can begin selling tickets to events at outdoors stadiums, so long as local health officials give the OK.
The 49ers, who play in Santa Clara County, did not receive that approval. In fact, they got an emphatic and resounding no.
“Audiences at professional sporting events will not be allowed anytime soon in Santa Clara County,” county health officials said in a statement, roughly an hour after the state’s announcement. “We must all continue to prioritize reducing the spread of COVID19, creating conditions that will allow our businesses, schools, and other community organizations to operate safely.
“As we see COVID19 rates rising in states across the U. S.,” the statement said, “and as we enter the winter months when risk will increase, we cannot take chances with the health and well being of our community and forfeit the many sacrifices that have been made to slow the spread of COVID19.”
The 49ers have played half of their eightgame home schedule, and next host Green Bay on Nov. 5, a Thursday night. Without fans, the Levi’s Stadium homefield advantage has been reduced to cardboard cutouts and tens of thousands of empty seats, a similar setting to Giants and A’s ballparks this year.
“Throughout the nation, the virus is spiking,” said Smith. “Basically, all of the health experts in the nation that are respectable have predicted another spike in November and December. It’s going to get worse. It’s going to get a lot worse. Right now is not the time to be relaxing regulations.”
There are numerous restrictions in the state’s proposal. The number of fans allowed into a stadium would be limited based on the county’s coronavirus health status. A county in the “orange” tier may sell to 20% of capacity; one in the
“yellow” tier can go to 25% of capacity.
Los Angeles County — where the NFL’s Rams and Chargers share SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — remains in the “purple” tier, the most restrictive level, with fans not permitted to attend.
Santa Clara County is an “orange” tier county. With Levi’s capacity at 68,500, the 20% restriction would mean the 49ers would be able to sell 13,700 tickets.
In addition to limiting the number of people allowed in, tickets would be sold only to customers within a 120mile radius of the stadium. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and seats would be assigned. There would be no dayofgame sales or willcall availability.
Tailgating would be prohibited and face coverings required, except when attendees are eating or drinking.
In a statement, the 49ers thanked state officials, but hinted that a final decision had not been made.
“We appreciate Governor ( Gavin) Newsom’s leadership and thoughtful approach in creating a framework that allows for the return of fans to Levi’s Stadium and restart the economic activity of the region,” the team said. “We welcome our fans and their support of local businesses and vendors that are critical to our local economy, especially during these difficult times.
“Our organization will continue to collaborate with local public health officials to implement a plan that ensures a plan that protects the health and wellness of all San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium employees, patrons and our community.”
About half of the 32 NFL teams have opened their doors to fans at a limited capacity. Monday’s ArizonaDallas game
drew a crowd of 25,174 people.
At the college level, where protocol varies greatly, Texas A& M’s Oct. 10 home game against Florida had 24,709 in attendance. Days later, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin announced that 18 scholarship players and three walkons had tested positive for coronavirus.
The Bay Area’s next outdoor professional event is the San Jose Earthquakes’ Major League Soccer game next Wednesday against Real Salt Lake at Earthquakes Stadium. With a seating capacity of 18,000, Tuesday’s decision by the state would have allowed the Quakes to sell 3,600 tickets.
“We are incredibly appreciative of Governor Newsom carefully laying the groundwork for fans to return to Earthquakes Stadium,” the team said in a statement. “We will continue to work with Major League Soccer and local public health officials to build a plan to welcome fans back as soon as possible. Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our team, staff and local community.”
The new state guidelines do not appear to affect amateur sports, including Cal, Stanford and San Jose State or youth sports. CHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said: “Stay tuned. ... We’re working to get it right.”
Under current guidelines, fans will not be allowed into collegiate or youth sports.
Ghaly said allowing fans to return to stadiums for professional sports would inform that decision moving forward. “We are going to look at the experience here, understanding how to use this new guidance,” he said.
San Jose State, which plays its home games at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, opens its football season Friday by hosting Air Force.
The Pac12 begins its pandemic-delayed season Nov. 7. Cal will host Washington at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley while Stanford travels to play at Oregon. The Cardinal play their first home game the next weekend against Colorado.
“I think it would be great, but I don’t know that that’s going to happen anytime soon,” Stanford head coach David Shaw said. “I think both the governor and the counties have drawn a line between professional and collegiate sports. What applies to the NFL may or may not apply to us. I know our people will talk through that.
“Right now, we’re not anticipating having people in the stands, especially in California,” Shaw said. “Some of the other teams in our conference may have family members. I don’t anticipate fans. It would be a great change if we did as we get closer to the season or within the season, but right now, I don’t anticipate that.”