[lex24]

1702687346[/url]']

1702685664[/url]']
As for Oracle itself – I’ve walked many a time down the Embarcadero to the stadium and I’ve never encountered a problem. Not sure what it’s like from the other direction – for example, coming from the train station.

I can certify that coming from the train station it is quite bad. There is a lot of panhandling in the immediate vicinity. When there is a Giants game it is somewhat mitigated by the relatively larder number of passengers. There isn't space for the panhandlers.  From an appearances point of view, it looks much worse than it is.  There are lots of homeless tents visible as you enter the throat of the station. Those of us that are there somewhat often are not surprised by it and realize most of those folks are harmless. However, tourists and people who don't come there often will probably find it quite jarring.

I don't believe this is a "controlling" factor for free  agent signings, but it is a fact that San Francisco has an image problem. Many big cities manage to mostly hide their homeless, drug, and crime problems. In San Francisco, it is right in front of you. Couple that with the extremly high vacancy rate in the City's business rentals and a potential signee may conclude the franchise is looking at financial impacts from all this going forward. That may be an accurate analysis. It also means the players opportunities to sign "NIL" contracts will be reduced. At one time San Francisco had a reputation for being expensive but there were plenty of oportunities to make money in the "local" economy. That is no longer true.

Giants are valued at 3.7 Billion.  5th in MLB.  That will go up as they develop Mission Rock.  The franchise is financially healthier than it’s ever been.

[lex24]

1702687346[/url]']

1702685664[/url]']
As for Oracle itself – I’ve walked many a time down the Embarcadero to the stadium and I’ve never encountered a problem. Not sure what it’s like from the other direction – for example, coming from the train station.

I can certify that coming from the train station it is quite bad. There is a lot of panhandling in the immediate vicinity. When there is a Giants game it is somewhat mitigated by the relatively larder number of passengers. There isn't space for the panhandlers.  From an appearances point of view, it looks much worse than it is.  There are lots of homeless tents visible as you enter the throat of the station. Those of us that are there somewhat often are not surprised by it and realize most of those folks are harmless. However, tourists and people who don't come there often will probably find it quite jarring.

I don't believe this is a "controlling" factor for free  agent signings, but it is a fact that San Francisco has an image problem. Many big cities manage to mostly hide their homeless, drug, and crime problems. In San Francisco, it is right in front of you. Couple that with the extremly high vacancy rate in the City's business rentals and a potential signee may conclude the franchise is looking at financial impacts from all this going forward. That may be an accurate analysis. It also means the players opportunities to sign "NIL" contracts will be reduced. At one time San Francisco had a reputation for being expensive but there were plenty of oportunities to make money in the "local" economy. That is no longer true.

Giants are valued at 3.7 Billion.  5th in MLB.  That will go up as they develop Mission Rock.  The franchise is financially healthier than it’s ever been.