Word on the sponsorship street is that the San Francisco 49ers are closing in on a naming rights partner for their new stadium in Santa Clara. I am hearing that three companies are in the hunt for a long term deal in the neighborhood of $12-14 million a year.The rights are being sold by the 49ers with assistance from Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The Santa Clara Stadium Authority is working with the team and its partners in overseeing the revenue generating process.