Lurie Wants to Move Giants to Santa Clara

SANTA CLARA — Bob Lurie, owner of the San Francisco Giants, told a packed meeting of the City Council his team wants to move to Santa Clara.

“I am here to tell you directly, formally and publicly that the Giants would like to move to Santa Clara,” Lurie said Tuesday night.

Many in the audience wore Giants colors and displayed placards in favor of moving the National League champions to Santa Clara, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

Lurie cited fan support, good weather, freeway access and plentiful parking as assets in favor of moving to Santa Clara.

Although Lurie said after the meeting that he plans to continue talks with cities around the country in case the Santa Clara plan falls through, the City Council voted unanimously to explore the costs of locating the team here.

San Francisco voters narrowly defeated a ballot measure last November that would have approved the building of a new downtown ballpark. Lurie had said a new park is necessary for the Giants to stay in San Francisco. The team now plays at Candlestick Park.