Does the ‘Google Gate Bridge’ seem ridiculous?  Not long ago, the Golden Gate Bridge authority seriously considered a “proud sponsors” scheme with corporate advertisers, but backed off only following local and international protests.

Now, special interests want us to rename Candlestick Park.

In 2004, we officially designated our City-owned stadium as Candlestick Park, thus preventing any future sale of so-called naming rights. Voters have already expressed their resistance to the increased corporatization and commercialization of the stadium.

Truth is, the sale of naming rights for Candlestick is a lousy deal.  Former naming rights deals for Candlestick have generated trivial sums – about $700,000 annually.  That's barely enough money to run the city for one hour per year!

Ironically, the sale of naming rights feeds the illusion of addressing budgetary woes. It is a cosmetic fix that does nothing to solve the true structural reforms that are needed to sustain a city.  Rather than rely upon selling naming rights to corporations, government ought to make the hard choices necessary to function within its budget.

Defeating Proposition C would not affect any new privately-owned stadium or one built mostly with private funds such as AT&T Park (built in accordance with voter-approved Props D and F, passed in 1997).

Candlestick Park is unique in that it was built and paid for by the public, unlike other stadiums, including AT&T Park, which was heavily subsidized by corporations. We already have one corporate-named stadium.  Our remaining stadium should be named after a San Francisco sports player, a SF legacy that we all admire.

Vote ‘NO’ on Proposition C!