Vote moves NFL’s 49ers closer to leaving San Francisco

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 49ers moved a step closer to leaving their longtime San Francisco home after residents in the Silicon Valley city of Santa Clara voted in favor of a new stadium for the NFL team.

The 49ers have played in San Francisco since the franchise was established more than 60 years ago and have called Candlestick Park their home since the early 1970s. They have won five Super Bowls during their stay.

By approving Measure J, voters in Santa Clara signed off on a plan by the team to build the 68,500-seat stadium in the city.

Under preliminary terms with the team, the city and area hotels would contribute $114 million to the $937 million project next to Great America theme park.

Team officials spent almost $4 million in support of Measure J.

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