49ers Tear Up Grass at Brand New $1.3 Billion Levi's Stadium

The 49ers, with a taxpayer assist, broke the bank on their new Santa Clara stadium. They apparently went cheap on the grass.

The team cut short their public practice on Wednesday after players lost footing and created massive divots on cuts. They retreated to a practice facility closed to the public while fans retreated to their cars after the abrupt end to open event.

“The 49ers organization would like to apologize to any fans who were inconvenienced by today’s practice ending early,” spokesman Bob Lange tweeted. “We have determined the appropriate measures necessary to have the field ready for Sunday and look forward to hosting the San Diego Chargers.”

Levi’s Stadium sod torn up in advance of Sunday’s game (via @MaioccoCSN) http://t.co/1Qt9rnpaQp #NFL #49ers pic.twitter.com/hj5pELIbdf

— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) August 21, 2014

The “appropriate measures” referred to by Lange evidently meant tearing up the new field to replace it with a newer one. It’s unclear whether the 49ers will stick with the Bandera Bermuda grass or go with a green that costs more green.