Why The National Championship Game Is A Win For 49ers Even If A Loss On Paper

On paper, the San Francisco 49ers will take a loss from hosting the 2019 National Championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The 49ers have raised close to $20 million, which is more money than any other host committee under the College Football Playoff era. However, it costs somewhere between $25 million and $30 million to host the biggest game in college football.

49ers President Al Guido is not concerned about the perceived loss on paper. He is happier to boast about the fact that no public money went into his organization hosting the event (Guido says that the Atlanta host committee received approximately $10 million in public financing for the 2018 National Championship).

When the College Football Playoff agreed that the 49ers could host the National Championship, a condition was inserted that restricted the 49ers to marketing only to people based in Northern California. the College Football Playoff wanted to ensure that it was not competing in its marketing effort elsewhere, including to the fan bases of the two schools playing the game. Guido says that he could not be happier with the performance of his local fan base.

40% of 49ers season ticket holders bought tickets to the National Championship and every suite has been sold for an average price of roughly $100,000. Only two suites were unsold prior to knowing who would be playing in the game; the final two suites were sold quickly thereafter. All 6,200 seats in the 49ers allotment were sold prior to the teams being announced.

Guido and his team had more inventory because of the fact that all money was raised privately. They still delivered. While the paper loss may exist, it is Guido’s long-term approach to success in the Bay Area that will make hosting the National Championship game worthwhile to the 49ers franchise.