49ers Rumors: SF Seeking $120M from NFL Fund for Levi's Stadium Upgrades

The San Francisco 49ers are planning upgrades to Levi's Stadium and will borrow $120 million from the NFL's stadium fund to help finance the venture, according to The Athletic's Daniel Kaplan.

The Niners will focus on addressing their premium seating and scoreboards.

Chief revenue officer Brent Schoeb said the plans were made based on input the team received, per Kaplan:

"We're in the heart of Silicon Valley and the heart of the second largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies. Based on that segment's feedback, they want a top tier VIP entertainment for their customers, and then also coming out of COVID for their employees, as well. So we certainly think we can increase the value proposition with all these renovations, which in turn will certainly help generate more revenue."

The renovations would be completed in time for the 2026 World Cup. Levi's Stadium is one of 11 stadiums that will be used for the tournament.

Kaplan added the 49ers could a make a play to host Super Bowl 60 in 2026 as well, with the improved seating helping any bid. Team president Al Guido said last summer that bringing the Super Bowl to Santa Clara, California, is a goal for the organization.

For the most part, though, fans might come away underwhelmed after reading the headlines and seeing what the Niners' plans actually are.

Levi's Stadium opened in July 2014, and it has been maligned almost from the jump.

For one, the venue is situated roughly an hour south of the team's home city, which creates traffic issues for many driving to and from games.

Early in the season, when temperatures are typically higher, Levi's Stadium is oriented in a way that can leave a portion of attendees baking in the sun.

Even the playing surface presented some problems and would get visibly torn up from the action on the field.

Throw in the fact that the Niners have one of the most expensive tickets in the NFL, and it didn't take long for fans to begin voting with their feet.

Alas, a lot of Levi's Stadium's issues can only be solved by tearing it down and starting anew somewhere else.