The 49ers’ opener on Sunday was one to forget.
In addition to losing 23-3 to the Panthers in a listless performance that provided few positives, a number of photos surfaced on Twitter showing nearly empty east side of Levi’s Stadium at the beginning of the second half, adding insult to injury on another disappointing day in Santa Clara.
Second half kickoff pic.twitter.com/sEQgbtfJIq
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) September 10, 2017
While the 49ers’ performance certainly had something to do with the empty seats, it was also due in large part to the direct sunlight that was beating down on spectators, providing no respite from the 90-plus degree heat. Perhaps it is no surprise then that the organization is now looking to come up with a solution to the issue, as reported by Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle, who also posted the above photo.
According to Killion, the team acknowledged in an official statement Monday that it has engaged a stadium architecture firm to “review a number of aspects of the stadium with the goal of enhancing the fan experience. … to investigate feasible solutions to address concerns regarding warm weather days, both for the short and long terms.”
Just spoke to the 49ers. They have engaged an architecture firm to review short and long term options to “enhance the fan experience.”
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) September 11, 2017
What exactly that means at this point is unclear, but it would seem to indicate that the 49ers are not willing to just stand pat as thousands of spectators look to head elsewhere instead of sitting through their discomfort. Implementing an overhang would seem like the most obvious solution, but could prove to be costly. The Dolphins installed a shade/shelter canopy last year that cost around $78 million according to Killion.
Levi’s Stadium cost $1.3 billion to build and is just 36 months old.
