Super Bowl Sunday was another explosive event, with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles triumphing over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was another feather in the cap for New Orleans, which has hosted the NFL’s biggest game 11 times in its history.
Santa Clara would also like to host the big game that many times. It’s a boon for the city and the entire Bay Area. It brings attention to our great city and, more importantly, it brings in tax dollars and tourism.
The trouble is, outside of Santa Clara, no one seems to know that the “Center of What’s Possible” even exists.
It is an embarrassment to our city and its residents to see San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan trotted out in front of the media time and again to accept the transition of Super Bowl responsibility.
Even in the Bay Area, Mahan is being presented as the one leading the charge for Super Bowl LX. NBC Bay Area, KTVU, KRON4, Mercury News — the list of news agencies talking to Mahan instead of Mayor Lisa Gillmor about this transition is extensive.
Santa Clara voters did not elect Mahan to represent our city. They did not elect Mahan to speak for the residents. And yet to everyone, including the people of the Bay Area, Mahan is the chief in charge of the championship game. He is the one in front of the camera talking about how wonderful it is to bring the Super Bowl and World Cup to the City of Santa Clara.
How is this possible? How did Santa Clara reach the point that a man who has nothing to do with our city, its operation, its success or failure became the face of the Super Bowl?
There’s an easy answer, and it starts at the top. Every time there’s a big event at Levi’s Stadium, instead of celebrating our great city, Mayor Gillmor has used the media pulpit to take a jab at the 49ers.
Even recently, Gillmor has offered lackluster responses about hosting the event. Who wants that as a headline when a city or a region is trying to build up excitement and energy for a big event?
Gillmor’s vendetta is denying Santa Clara one of the key components of hosting events of international renown: publicity.
What is the point of hosting big events if all we end up as is a freeway exit on the way to San José?
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View Comments (2)
When is she termed out? Next year?
Can't wait.
"...Gillmor has offered lackluster responses about hosting the event. Who wants that as a headline when a city or a region is trying to build up excitement and energy for a big event?"
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Well, that is unless the event being hosted has personal appeal to Gillmor. Such was the case when Taylor Swift came to town. Not only was Gillmor giddy about the swarms of teenagers and their parents occupying Levi's Stadium, but she even made Taylor Swift honorary mayor of "Swifty Clara" for a day and gave her a key to the city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7elHEZ3UuY
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Japan has made it to at least the Group Stage in all seven previous World Cups; Portugal the previous six and is strongly favored to reach the Round of 16 in 2026. Ireland also has a pretty good showing. Izumo, Coimbra, and Limerick are Santa Clara's sister cities ... how would it look if the Mayor snubbed the international event out of spite? It's unlikely the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury will come knockin' to examine and try to remediate Gillmor's lack of professionalism so Santa Clara residents will have to do it themselves.