May 2016 - San Francisco 49ers Wiretap

Santa Clara Threatening To Take Over Levi's Stadium Operations

Oct 30, 2016 9:08 PM

Santa Clara mayor Lisa Gillmor told NBC Bay Area that if the 49ers do not agree to turn over financial documents disclosing how they spent taxpayer money, the city may be forced to take over stadium operations.

"If they don't cure the breach, we are going to take steps to take back management of the stadium," Gillmor told NBC Bay Area.

An audit presented to the Santa Clara City Council on Thursday showed that the 49ers organization has not shared budget documents with the city — something that is required by the stadium contract. An independent auditor told NBC that taxpayer funds may have been used to "reseed the field several times."

On Sunday, the 49ers fired back in a statement of their own:

"The Mayor's accusations that money is going from the City's General Fund into the stadium are false and irresponsible. As the Mayor surely knows, since she voted for the agreements, the stadium does not use general fund money. In fact, funds are flowing into the General Fund from the stadium. The 49ers Stadium Management Company has generated over $5.5 million for the City's General Fund over the last two years, plus an additional $2 million in fees to the City. On top of that, another $2 million has also gone to the Discretionary Fund.

"The successful management of Levi's Stadium by the 49ers Stadium Management Company has allowed the Santa Clara Stadium Authority to reduce its outstanding debt by over $200 million since opening, and fund over $16 million in cash reserves. Those figures do not even include the significant increase in sales and hotel tax revenues generated by the stadium, hotels and other local businesses that will contribute to the Santa Clara General Fund on an annual basis as a direct result of the ongoing operation of Levi's Stadium."

Katie Dowd/San Francisco Chronicle

Tags: San Francisco 49ers

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Eagles Still Exploring Trade For Wide Receiver

Oct 30, 2016 8:57 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to explore a trade for a wide receiver, according to sources.

The Eagles have been linked to Torrey Smith of the San Francisco 49ers.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Chip Kelly Hasn't Heard From Any Schools

Oct 25, 2016 7:22 PM

A newspaper in Oregon reported Chip Kelly would be willing to consider a return to the school. 

The University of Oregon's football team is struggling this season while Kelly has also struggled with the San Francisco 49ers.

“No. I’m the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. So, not looking at anything else,” said Kelly

Kelly also said he has not heard from any schools.

Kevin Lynch/San Francisco Chroncile

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, NCAA

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49ers, Eagles In Talks On Torrey Smith Trade

Oct 25, 2016 3:36 PM

The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles have held trade talks centered upon Torrey Smith.

Smith has 13 catches so far in 2016 after catching 33 balls in his first season with the 49ers.

Smith is still just 27 and was one of the NFL's best vertical wide receivers during his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens.

Zac Jackson/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Chip Kelly Committed To Remaining With 49ers

Oct 20, 2016 4:10 PM

Chip Kelly was asked whether he's committed to remaining as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers as they're now 1-5.

“Unless the media has an opportunity for me somewhere, I’ll always explore those opportunities,” Kelly told reporters. “But, I’m not going anywhere.”

The 49ers fired Jim Tomsula after one season in which they went 5-11.

Kelly has been linked to college football jobs as he's had his best success still with Oregon.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Colin Kaepernick To Remain 49ers' Starter For Week 7

Oct 17, 2016 7:04 PM

Colin Kaepernick will remain the starting quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chip Kelly said he thought Kaepernick played "OK" but that there were things Kaepernick can continue to develop.

"Colin will be our quarterback against Tampa Bay," Kelly said. "I think there's some things that he did on Sunday that he can build upon. For his first extended playing time since last year, I thought there were some real positives there that I think we can try to build with him and get him going. It gives us the best chance against Tampa Bay this week."

Kaepernick finished 13-of-29 for 187 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 66 yards on eight carries with no turnovers.

"I think he kept a lot of plays alive," Kelly said. "Sometimes the protection broke down but he kept some plays alive from that standpoint. He did a good job keeping the ball out of harm's way, didn't throw any interceptions, didn't seem like there were (any) balls where you were like 'Geez, that was a close one.' Sometimes you can have a game you didn't throw any interceptions but you should have and the defense just dropped them."

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers

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Colin Kaepernick Has $7.5M Insurance Policy With 49ers

Oct 16, 2016 11:15 AM

The San Francisco 49ers purchased a $7.5 million insurance policy for Colin Kaepernick and added an easily attainable $1 million incentive as part of their restructured contract.

The 49ers purchased a three-part, $500,000 insurance policy in which Kaepernick is the beneficiary.

If Kaepernick is hurt to the point where he cannot play next season, he would collect $7.5 million tax-free, a figure close to what he would have collected in Year 2 of his original contract ($14.5 million before taxes).

The 49ers also enticed Kaepernick to sign the reworked contract with a playing-time incentive that is easy to reach.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Colin Kaepernick Signs Restructured Contract With 49ers

Oct 14, 2016 8:03 AM

The San Francisco 49ers and Colin Kaepernick have signed a restructured contract.

The new contract eliminates future financial risk for the 49ers if he were to get injured this season.

The 49ers will no longer be responsible for guaranteeing Kaepernick’s scheduled salary of $14.5 million for the 2017 season if he is on the roster – or not healthy enough to pass a physical – on April 1, 2017.

In return, Kaepernick has the option to void the four remaining years of his contract at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent in March. Also, the 49ers guarantee his entire $2 million in per-game roster bonuses through the end of the regular season.

Kaepernick will start this week for the 49ers in place of Blaine Gabbert.

Kaepernick and the 49ers originally agreed to a six-year, $115 million contract extension in June 2014. The deal will now essentially be a three-year, $39 million contract.

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, Signing

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49ers To Start Colin Kaepernick In Week 6

Oct 12, 2016 10:48 AM

The San Francisco 49ers will start Colin Kaepernick in Week 6 when they play the Buffalo Bills.

Blaine Gabbert had started for the 49ers in the first five games of the season.

After winning in Week 1 against the Rams, the 49ers have lost four straight games with Gabbert mostly being ineffective.

Kaepernick underwent multiple offseason surgeries.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: San Francisco 49ers

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Trent Baalke 'On Hot Seat' As 49ers' GM

Oct 8, 2016 6:03 PM

The job of Trent Baalke as general manager of the San Francisco 49ers is in jeopardy as they're in Year 2 of their rebuild.

"There is no question general manager Trent Baalke is on the hot seat," wrote Matt Maiocco. "And there’s virtually nothing he can do at this stage in the season to strengthen the team for the final 11 games.

"The biggest problem with how the team is constructed is that the 2016 49ers have the same weaknesses at the 2015 49ers. When last season ended, it was apparent the 49ers needed upgrades at quarterback, wide receiver and pass-rusher...

"That is not a good sign when the team has the same weaknesses year after year. The 49ers will not be an organization heading in the right direction until they add a quarterback around whom to build their roster.

"The call belongs to CEO Jed York, but it’s obvious Baalke’s future with the 49ers is very much in jeopardy because he has regularly ignored the team’s weaknesses at impact positions."

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Colin Kaepernick, 49ers Rework Contract
Colin Kaepernick can also void the deal after this season to become a free agent.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Some 49ers Supporting Christian Ponder To Become Starting QB
The 49ers have lost four consecutive games, and the team’s passing game ranks last in the NFL.

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

49ers On Quarterback Change: 'We're Going To Look At Everything'
The 49ers will at least consider benching Blaine Gabbert in favor of Colin Kaepernick after losing to the Cardinals on Thursday night.

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Cardinals Rule Out Carson Palmer Against 49ers
Drew Stanton will make his first start of the season.

Kevin Patra/NFL

NaVorro Bowman Out For Season With Achilles Injury
NaVorro Bowman suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of Week 4.

Eric Branch/San Francisco Chronicle

Steve Young Suffered From Severe Separation Anxiety
Steve Young grew up so close to his parents that he could never attend sleepovers at houses of his friends due to severe separation anxiety and homesickness.

Peter King/Sports Illustrated