Santa Clara, California – June 16, 2025 – In a stunning and divisive decision, Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers, announced today that Apple CEO Tim Cook and other prominent LGBT influencers will be barred from participating in official events at Levi’s Stadium for the 2025 NFL season.
The announcement, which came during a press availability at team headquarters, is already drawing national attention — not only because of the high-profile names involved, but because of the broader implications for inclusivity in sports.
Jed York: “Levi’s Stadium will return to football, not activism.”
When asked about the motivations behind the policy, York issued a brief but forceful response:
“Levi’s Stadium will return to football, not activism.”
The remark was met with immediate silence — and has since sparked a firestorm online and in media circles, particularly given San Francisco’s reputation as one of the most LGBT-affirming cities in the world.
National reaction: Shockwaves in Silicon Valley and beyond
Unsurprisingly, the reaction has been immediate and polarized. Within hours, hashtags like #LevisBan, #JedYorkStatement, and #TimCookResponse were trending across social media.
Key responses:
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Tim Cook (via Apple spokesperson): “Apple will continue to support human dignity, equality, and inclusion — without exception.”
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San Francisco Pride: “This is a betrayal of the community that helped build this city and this team.”
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Tucker Carlson (commentator): “Good. Sports should be about the game — not identity politics.”
Corporate & NFL response pending
Levi’s Stadium is sponsored by Levi Strauss & Co., a company known for its vocal support of LGBTQ+ rights. Pressure is now mounting on the brand to respond. Likewise, the NFL front office has yet to issue an official comment, but league sources indicate internal discussions are ongoing due to potential reputational and commercial risks.
Silicon Valley stunned
The decision has created a direct clash with the surrounding tech ecosystem, where companies like Apple, Google, and Meta have long championed diversity and inclusion. With Tim Cook directly named in the policy, industry figures are now speaking out, some calling for reconsideration of partnerships and venue usage.
