Neighbors and community clubs press board on Kezar stadium deal as supervisors introduce permit for Golden City FC

Supervisor Ahmad Mahmoud said he is introducing a resolution to authorize a long‑term permit between the Recreation and Park Department and Golden City Football Club, a new professional soccer team expected to use Kezar Stadium. He described the permit as a public‑private partnership aimed at investing in the facility while preserving neighborhood access.

Several public commenters, and representatives of San Francisco City Football Club, raised concerns that the privatization or exclusive access granted to a privately funded team could displace existing community organizations that regularly use Kezar for games and events. Speakers said the stadium is used daily by neighborhood groups, Special Olympics athletes, youth teams and community events, and cautioned that "public access won't be affected" as stated in press coverage may not reflect everyday usage.

San Francisco City FC’s board member and others urged the board to ensure the deal does not displace long‑standing community teams and recommended broader community input and protections for the many recurring local users.

Why it matters: Kezar Stadium is a widely used public facility. Any long‑term permit granting prioritized use to a private professional club would alter scheduling, access and potentially small local teams’ ability to use the field. Board consideration of the permit will affect local youth and amateur sports organizations that rely on regular access.

What the board did: The mayor and Council introductions were part of introductions and commendations; the formal resolution authorizing a permit was described as being advanced by the supervisor and mayor but the transcript records community concern; final votes or a finalized permit were not recorded at this meeting.

Attribution: Remarks from Supervisor Mahmoud and public testimony from local club representatives and neighbors are recorded on the public record.