49ers Renew Demand for Santa Clara to Pay Office Lease

NFL team's request for $1.7 million lease payment sparks budget and transparency concerns from city officials.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers have once again asked the city of Santa Clara to cover the lease for the team's 52,000-square-foot business office, a request that was denied last year. This issue has resurfaced during discussions around the Santa Clara Stadium Authority's proposed $81.3 million budget, with city officials questioning the approval process and calling for more transparency around the team's relocation and the financial responsibilities.

Why it matters

The ongoing dispute over the 49ers' office lease payment highlights the tensions between the NFL team and Santa Clara officials regarding how stadium-related expenses should be allocated. The unresolved status of this cost could influence upcoming budget decisions and impact both city revenues and public trust in the governance of Levi's Stadium operations.

The details

Last year, the 49ers requested $620,000 from the Santa Clara Stadium Authority to cover the lease for their relocated business office, but the payment was not approved. The team has now included a $1.7 million 'other expenses' line item in the proposed $81.3 million stadium authority budget, though the exact figure for the office lease was not disclosed. City officials, including Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kelly Cox, have expressed concerns about the approval process and the need for decisions to be based on contractual obligations rather than informal relationships.

  • In 2025, the 49ers requested $620,000 from the Santa Clara Stadium Authority to cover the lease for their relocated business office, but the payment was not approved.
  • The 49ers' latest request for office lease payment has resurfaced during discussions around the Santa Clara Stadium Authority's proposed $81.3 million budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

The players

San Francisco 49ers

The NFL team that plays its home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Santa Clara Stadium Authority

The entity that manages Levi's Stadium and is comprised of Santa Clara City Council members.

Lisa Gillmor

The mayor of Santa Clara, who has expressed concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers and the need for more transparency in the approval process.

Kelly Cox

A Santa Clara city councilmember who has emphasized the need for decisions to be based on contractual obligations rather than informal relationships.

Jihad Beauchman

The executive vice president and general counsel of the San Francisco 49ers, who stated that the team's new office in Santa Clara ensures enhanced collaboration, efficiency, and productivity.

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What they’re saying

“new office in Santa Clara ensures enhanced collaboration, efficiency and productivity to the benefit of both the Santa Clara Stadium Authority and the 49ers. We also believe the Stadium Management Agreement is clear on this issue and will continue to work with the city on next steps.”

— Jihad Beauchman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, San Francisco 49ers

“Why are we asking to approve again this year this $1.7 million line item when we don't actually know what's in it? (The 49ers Management Company) operates at Levi's Stadium and we own the building, when did (they) move, why did they move and who authorized them to relocate at the Stadium Authority's expense?”

— Lisa Gillmor, Mayor, Santa Clara

“From a governance standpoint, I just want the reassurance that our decision making framework is structured with requests that are evaluated on contractual obligation and not relational dynamics.”

— Kelly Cox, Councilmember, Santa Clara

What’s next

Santa Clara officials are expected to revisit the office lease issue next month as discussions continue.

The takeaway

The ongoing dispute over the 49ers' office lease payment highlights the need for clear and transparent financial responsibilities between the NFL team and the city of Santa Clara. As negotiations proceed, maintaining cooperative relations and ensuring transparent governance will be essential for managing Levi's Stadium operations.