
<p>Hosting World Cup games is normally a dream for most cities around the globe. After all, the tournament helps bring in massive amounts of money through various avenues. However, the handling of the current situation does not thrill the city of Santa Clara, California.</p>



<p>Santa Clara is hosting multiple matches during the upcoming 2026 World Cup at Levi’s Stadium. Although the city’s stadium authority technically owns the stadium, the San Francisco 49ers currently manage events at the arena. According to a report by <em><a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/28/levis-stadium-49ers-made-commitments-to-fifa-for-world-cup-2026-without-santa-claras-consent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mercury News</a></em>, city officials say that the NFL team is bowing down to FIFA without their knowledge.</p>



<h2>Santa Clara official claims World Cup deal poses ‘risk’ to city  </h2>



<p>The news outlet reports that the city of Santa Clara had been trying to get their hands on documents related to the World Cup. However, the 49ers have held on to the paperwork. This led Mayor Lisa Gillmor to raise the question of potentially issuing a subpoena to obtain these documents. Some of this paperwork reached the hands of city officials.</p>



<p>City Manager Jovan Grogan is now claiming that the 49ers signed certain contracts with FIFA in 2017 or 2018. According to Grogan, the NFL team made “<a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/28/levis-stadium-49ers-made-commitments-to-fifa-for-world-cup-2026-without-santa-claras-consent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant commitments</a>” to the world’s governing body of soccer in these contracts.</p>



<p>These commitments mostly revolve around improvements to Levi’s Stadium. FIFA reportedly has full power to decide these arena alterations. However, Santa Clara voters previously approved a measure in 2010 that states that the city will not be responsible for paying for maintenance and improvements at the stadium.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, a Levi’s Stadium spokesperson has released a statement claiming that they will acknowledge the aforementioned measure. “Any required costs for the city of Santa Clara to host the World Cup will be reimbursed in accordance with the stadium agreements, as they have been since the stadium opened,” <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/09/28/levis-stadium-49ers-made-commitments-to-fifa-for-world-cup-2026-without-santa-claras-consent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read</a> the statement. </p>



<p>“There has also been a proposal in front of the Santa Clara stadium authority for months which would officially relieve them of any financial burden.”</p>



<h5>City also concerned FIFA’s branding rights may annoy Levi’s</h5>



<p>There are also concerns over FIFA’s demands for branding and signage rights. Santa Clara and the 49ers previously signed a massive $220 million naming rights deal at the stadium with denim company Levi Strauss. City officials worry that FIFA’s signage demands could negatively affect this deal.</p>



<p>While Santa Clara city officials are unhappy with their NFL team, other World Cup host cities are experiencing similar issues. A <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifas-eye-opening-demands-for-world-cup-2026-host-cities-20230811-WST-449616.html">previous report</a> laid out FIFA’s stunning demands with the city of Seattle as well. The World Cup runs across Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June 2026.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pond5 Images</em></p>


World Cup host accuses 49ers of making commitments to FIFA

Santa Clara officials claim that the 49ers have made agreements with FIFA over hosting 2026 World Cup games without their knowledge.

<p>The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially announced plans for a new expansion team in San Francisco’s Bay Area. It is the 14th host region in the United States women’s top flight, and its first season is in 2024. There are currently a dozen teams in the league, but two additional clubs will be added next year. It was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/utah-royals-to-return-to-nwsl-as-latest-expansion-team-20230313-WST-423136.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced last month</a> that the Utah Royals FC are also set to join the league in 2024.</p>



<h2>World Cup winners headline expansion ownership of NWSL in Bay Area</h2>



<p>Ownership of the Bay Area team brings familiar faces. Former USWNT stars Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner headline the group of investors. Along with the former players, club ownership will be led by Sixth Street Partners. According to <em><a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/nwsl/story/4915904/uswnters-part-of-bay-area-nwsl-expansion-team-owners-group" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a></em>, the conglomerate has reportedly invested $125 million into the newly-formed team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The NWSL is officially coming to the Bay Area in 2024!</p>— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSL/status/1643223707639267328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>A large chunk of this investment comes down to a $53 million expansion fee to join the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nwsl-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">NWSL</a>. This is a considerably higher fee than other recent expansion clubs. Angel City FC, San Diego Wave and the aforementioned Utah Royals all <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsl-to-expand-to-san-francisco-boston-and-utah-report-says-20230128-WST-417415.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> paid less than $5 million for their franchise fees.</p>



<p>The remaining $70 million investment into the Bay Area side goes to a training facility, staff, and team infrastructure. </p>



<h5>Majority investors have ties to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Yankees </h5>



<p>Sixth Street Partners is led by CEO Alan Waxman. The financial group previously invested money into FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and the San Antonio Spurs. Sixth Street also has partnership ties with the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.</p>



<p>“We want to thank Commissioner Berman and the NWSL Board for their endorsement and their partnership throughout this process,” Waxman <a href="https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-expansion-to-bay-area-california" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> on Tuesday. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with this legendary group, who are lifelong role models to a generation of women, and we look forward to working with them to build a championship franchise on and off the field.”</p>



<p>“The Bay Area is where this all began,” said former two-time World Cup winner Brandi Chastain. “We are as excited about what this club will achieve on the field of play as we are for what it will represent for generations of women athletes and professionals yet to come. We look forward to the Bay fans embracing our team and celebrating the competitive spirit and talent we will put onto the field to continue the strong Bay tradition of playing to win championships.”</p>



<p>The team’s name, home stadium and training location are still in the works. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo</em></p>

Investors buy NWSL expansion team for $53 million in Bay Area

A club from the San Francisco Bay Area will become the latest expansion team in the NWSL after investors spent big for the team.


<p>It seems as if Leeds United could be set for a new majority owner, an American group. </p>



<p>Currently, Aser Ventures, led by Andrea Radrizzani, owns 56% of the West Yorkshire club. American business group 49ers Enterprises hold the remaining 44% of shares.</p>



<p><a href="https:\/\/www.thetimes.co.uk/article/san-francisco-49ers-investors-set-for-leeds-united-takeover-53cqn7n5c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Times</a>, however, reports 49ers Enterprises is making the necessary moves for a full takeover at Leeds. The Americans previously purchased the minority stake in the club in 2018. 49ers Enterprises is essentially the business arm of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers. Denise DeBartolo York, Jed York, and John York co-own the group.</p>



<p>Prior to the 49ers group coming on board, Radrizzani had 100% ownership of Leeds. Along with the team, Radrizzani also purchased the historic Elland Road stadium. The Italian businessman is currently the chairman and founder of the broadcasting group Eleven Sports as well.</p>



<p>49ers Enterprises does have an agreement in place with Radrizzani to completely take over Leeds in January of 2024. However, the Americans appear set to speed up this process.</p>



<p>The aforementioned report claims that there has been significant movement within the organization to complete the takeover. The sale by Radrizzani depends on Leeds’s Premier League survival. Final standings in the table heavily affect the final purchase price.</p>



<p>The 49ers group could very make their move once the current campaign ends.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Leeds United v. Bournemouth | PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS | 11/5/2022 | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/klQRlUhYe44?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>American ownership of Leeds United</h2>



<p>Radrizzani previously hinted at the potential takeover by his American partners. “I dream to bring this club to play in Europe and then I’m happy to leave — so still some work to do here,” Radrizzani told <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/3474094/2022/08/05/leeds-owner-radrizzani-i-had-to-decide-to-potentially-die-with-bielsa-or-someone-else/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a>. </p>



<p>“We are very good friends with the 49ers, they are a solid partner, they let you work in peace and they are supportive. They have, as you know, an option to take a majority in 2024. Maybe before or at that moment, something will be discussed.”</p>



<p>Leeds are currently 12th in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> table. The Whites were previously near the relegation zone before winning two consecutive league matches. American head coach Jesse Marsch endured a rollercoaster of a season. A third of the way through the season, Leeds suffered embarrassing defeats and incredible victories.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


San Francisco 49ers owners look to make it another full American ownership group in charge of a Premier League team, Leeds United.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "San Francisco"

FIFA

World Cup host accuses 49ers of making commitments to FIFA

News

Investors buy NWSL expansion team for $53 million in Bay Area

Leagues: EPL

San Francisco 49ers seeking total ownership of Leeds United