Dianne Feinstein: “last November, John York, the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, announced his intention to move the team to Santa Clara.…”

“last November, John York, the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, announced his intention to move the team to Santa Clara. The 49ers have been an integral part of San Francisco for the past 60 years. The team was founded in 1946 as part of the All-American Football Conference and joined the National Football League in 1950, when the two leagues merged. The team's name is derived from the city's history, celebrating the miners who rushed to San Francisco in search of gold in 1849 and helped build the city. The team has been a part of San Francisco for so long, and is such a central part of its culture, that the prospect of the team leaving concerns many of the people of San Francisco. In response, I am introducing the Football Fairness Act that provides a new and limited antitrust exemption that is designed to slow the frequent movement of National Football League teams and prevent communities from suffering the financial and intangible costs of these moves. As Mayor of San Francisco, I had the pleasure of witnessing several 49ers' Super Bowl victory parades. What I remember most about those victories is the way the team's success brought the city together. I've also seen other cities unite in celebration of their teams' championships. Our football teams are more than just businesses. They are a common denominator that cut across class, race, and gender to bond the people of a city. They are a key component of a city's culture and identity.”