Former Santa Clara Mayor Credited With Originally Bringing 49ers To Site Of New Stadium
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF) -- When fans file into the new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, they likely won't be thinking of Everett "Eddie" Souza, but maybe they should.
Santa Clara has him to thank for bringing the 49ers' new home to the city, after chasing that dream as mayor for nearly a decade, from 1985 to 1994.
"I found out that they needed a new home for their training camp, and I knew that we had a good spot, with good infrastructure," Souza said.
When he met the team's owner, Eddie DeBartolo, the two hit it off.
"We could see eye to eye. We're both five foot five, and we're both Italian," Souza said.
Related Content:
- 49ers/Seahawks Game Most Expensive
- Levi's Stadium Seating Chart
- Joe Montana, 49ers At Odds Over Parking Spaces
Not long after their first meeting, the deal was done, and the 49ers opened a new training facility, and headquarters for the team near Great America in 1988.
The first event at Levi's Stadium will be a major league soccer match on August 2nd.
The 49ers will host their first pre-season game against the Denver Broncos on August 17th.
