The National Football League said today it will put a $200 million loan toward the 49ers’ long-awaited stadium in Santa Clara, giving the team the final chunk of change they need to build the new state-of-the art facility. Site preparation work began last month on the $1 billion, 68,500-seat stadium, which could open as soon as the 2014 season. “With the NFL’s muscle now behind the new stadium, we are moving forward,†said Jed York, CEO of the 49ers, in a statement. “I expect an official ground-breaking ceremony very soon. Get your hard hats ready; we are embarking on the path to the next generation of 49ers football.†Previously, the team, which has played in San Francisco for more than six decades, was counting on the NFL to give an expected $150 million. Source: San Francisco Chronicle
