City of San FranciscoProposition I Charter Amendment - Majority Approval Required
Shall the City adopt a policy not to encourage professional sports teams from other cities to move to San Francisco and to oppose any sports team ownership group attempting to avoid payment of an outstanding public debt?
What is this proposal?
Pros & Cons — Unbiased explanation with arguments for and against
The Question
The Situation
The Golden State Warriors are moving from their current home of more than forty years, Oracle Arena in Oakland, to San Francisco. They faced opposition from a neighborhood group who argued that the new arena’s location would negatively effect the surrounding neighborhood.
In January 2017, the California Supreme Court rejected lawsuits to halt the construction of a new stadium for the Warriors. The new stadium is expected to be complete before the 2019 NBA season.
The Proposal
San Francisco would have an official policy discouraging owners of professional sports teams from relocating to the city.
If a professional sports team has established itself as profitable and supported by fans for at least 20 years, San Francisco would no longer invite or encourage the team to relocate to the city.
This measure would declare that the City would stand against any sports team ownership group that moves in order to avoid payment of an outstanding debt. It would also declare that the City will not endorse or condone the relocation of any team with an extensive history in another location.
A “YES” Vote Means: You want to make it City policy not to encourage professional sports teams from other cities to move to San Francisco and to take a stand against any sports team ownership group attempting to avoid payment of an outstanding public debt.
A “NO” Vote Means: You do not want to adopt these City policies.
Supporters say
¡ Poaching the Warriors from Oakland is not in keeping with the values of San Francisco.
¡ The move of the Golden State Warriors to San Francisco shows no respect for the team’s legacy in Oakland; this proposition would show the City’s support of Oakland’s community and Warriors fans.
Opponents say
¡ Proposition I would establish a sweeping policy to discourage professional sports teams from moving the San Francisco, a policy that would weaken the City.
¡ This would not affect the Warriors who are already slated to move or directly encourage the 49ers to return to the City and this is an emotional measure that lacks merit.
Details — Official information
YES vote means
A “YES” Vote Means: If you vote "yes," you want to make it City policy not to encourage professional sports teams from other cities to move to San Francisco and to take a stand against any sports team ownership group attempting to avoid payment of an outstanding public debt.
NO vote means
A “NO” Vote Means: If you vote "no," you do not want to adopt these City policies.
Summary
Ballot Simplification Committee
The Way It Is Now: The City’s professional sports teams include the San Francisco Giants baseball team. The San Francisco 49ers football team plays its home games in Santa Clara.
The Golden State Warriors basketball team currently plays its home games in Oakland, but will start playing its home games in San Francisco when the Chase Center, a multipurpose arena under construction in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, is completed. This arena is expected to be open for the Warriors’ 2019-20 season.
The Proposal: Proposition I would adopt a policy providing that the City will not invite, entice, encourage, cajole or condone the relocation of any professional sports team that has previously established itself in another city and has demonstrated clear and convincing support from community and fans for at least 20 years and is profitable.
This measure would also adopt a policy that the City take a stand against any sports team ownership group attempting to avoid payment of an outstanding public debt.
Financial effect
City Controller Ben Rosenfield
City Controller Ben Rosenfield has issued the following statement on the fiscal impact of Proposition I:
Should the proposed declaration of policy be approved by the voters, in my opinion, it would not affect the cost of government.
