Candlestick Looks for Sponsor to Take Baton from 3Com

SAN FRANCISCO-A major San Francisco landmark is looking for a new corporate sponsor. Candlestick Park, home of the San Francisco 49ers, has started a search for a new sponsor to take the place of 3Com, whose contract will expire in January.

The 49ers leased naming rights from the city of San Francisco, which owns the park, about six years ago. The 49ers leased the naming rights for a reported $900,000 a year, but they re-leased the naming rights to 3Com for an undisclosed price.

Both the lease between the team and the city and the lease between the team and 3Com expire at the end of January. 3Com has not expressed an interest in renewing the lease. However, the city and the 49ers are negotiating the terms of a new lease.

Candlestick is a risky investment right now, as the 49ers only have six years remaining on their lease there. The 49ers plan to build a new stadium after the lease expires. While the 49ers have been approached by companies interested in leasing the naming rights for Candlestick, more companies want their name on the new stadium.

With the economic slowdown and huge budget cuts in advertising in the Bay Area, it is hard to predict the outcome of the park’s new name.