Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Santa Clara County official says 49ers, Sharks games not expected until November, if lucky
Apr 8, 2020 at 10:42 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The NFL is proceeding as if the regular season will go on as planned. That would mean a full slate of games in early September. Of course, no one would expect it to think otherwise until more information is known about the long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic currently sweeping through the nation.
President Trump said over the weekend that he expects football, and other sports, to return in September. California's governor, Gavin Newsom,
is less optimistic and doesn't believe that the timeline is realistic.
"I'm not anticipating that happening in this state," Newsom said. "We've all seen the headlines over the last couple days in Asia where they opening up certain businesses and now they're starting to roll back those openings because they're starting seeing some spread and there's a boomerang. One has to be very cautious here, one has to be careful not to overpromise."
If the San Francisco 49ers want to play in September, assuming the NFL green lights the start of football by then, it may not be at Levi's Stadium.
One Santa Clara County official, executive officer Dr. Jeffrey Smith, told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday not to expect sports games to be played in the region until November, at the earliest,
according to the Los Angeles Times. And even then, maybe not until the end of November, around Thanksgiving, if they are lucky.
"This is not something that's going to be easy to do," Smith said.
A block on sporting events in the county wouldn't just impact the 49ers. It would also impact the San Jose Sharks, as well as Stanford and San Jose State athletics.
The NFL still plans to hold its annual draft, which will take place from April 23-25, albeit in an unprecedented format with team staffs working remotely. All other offseason programs, such as minicamps, OTAs, and training camps, are up in the air.
"I know that our front office, and our coaching staff, and the people involved are probably the best in the business at making things work," starting tackle
Mike McGlinchey said on KNBR Wednesday. "I'm sure there's a bunch of plans in place (to prepare us for the season).
"We have not been informed yet because it's still so early, but it's a really challenging time for everybody, so you've got to be patient and figure out the best way possible to move forward."
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers' Brock Purdy focused on 2024, not contract 'nonsense'
During the NFL owners' meetings, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York noted the significant rise in quarterback salaries in recent years. However, he acknowledged the market value of such players, recognizing that he'll have to sign a substantial check for his young quarterback, Brock Purdy, next year.
York stated, "And to me, the quarterback is the most important position, not just in football, but in all sports, and those guys should be paid a lot."
Last week, Brock Purdy addressed York's comments, showing no concern about the financial implications that will arise next year. Instead, he
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
