News Releases
The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

Mayor Lee & Charlotte Mayor Cannon Make Friendly Wager On 49ers-Panthers Playoff Game

Mayors Will Mentor Youth in Washington, D.C. During U.S. Conference of Mayors Meeting Wearing Winning Team’s Apparel

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Mayor Patrick D. Cannon of Charlotte, North Carolina made a friendly wager on the outcome of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the second-seeded Carolina Panthers on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Bank of America Stadium. 

At the upcoming meeting of the U.S Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., January 22nd through 24th, both Mayor Lee and Mayor Cannon will mentor young people in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, which will include several conference activities and meetings with mayors from across the country. The Mayor representing the losing team will wear the colors from the winning team during all activities. 

January is National Mentoring Month, and both Mayors hope that this wager will increase awareness about the benefits of mentoring and the shortage of volunteer mentors around the country.

In addition, the losing Mayor will send a care package of local culinary treats to the winning city. Mayor Cannon is wagering Carolina’s finest barbeque pulled pork, and Mayor Lee is wagering Boudin sourdough bread and Ghirardelli chocolates.

“The 49ers are firing on all cylinders – the defense is playing at a whole new level and the offense is really clicking,” said Mayor Lee. “I fully expect to place a Niners cap on Mayor Cannon’s head later this month when we get together to mentor our young people and teach them what it means to share the good values of sportsmanship and leadership.”

 “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to join Mayor Lee in raising awareness about the need for more mentors,” said Mayor Cannon. “The playoffs represent what happens when you work hard and have good coaching. The same can happen when our youth receive the right coaching through a strong mentoring program.”

As the Panthers host the 49ers this weekend, Mayor Lee and the San Francisco 49ers join Mayor Cannon and the Carolina Panthers in urging all fans to treat each other with respect. Both Mayor Cannon and Mayor Lee hope and expect that fans will cheer loudly, but that supporting the home team should always be positive and peaceful. Wherever fans choose to watch the game, remember to be safe and practice good sportsmanship. In the end, the 49ers embody the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, and rivalries must remain on the field.

Mayor Lee is encouraging 49ers fans from across the Bay Area to frequent their neighborhood establishments to watch the game.

Additionally, Mayor Lee today ordered City Hall to continue to be lit in Red & Gold, and to remain lit for the remainder of the 49ers playoff run.