NFL roundup: Yu new 49ers Co-Owner, President

In a move that seems aimed at securing success in the South Bay Area, the San Francisco 49ers officially named Gideon Yu President and Co-Owner on Friday after he served as Chief Strategy Officer since last April.

Yu, the Chief Financial Officer for both Facebook and YouTube before joining the 49ers, is credited as a key in the team securing an $850 million construction loan for a new stadium, reported to be the largest loan of its type in professional sports.

Yu is also credited for helping the 49ers get a $200 million financing package from the NFL to help build a new stadium.

"Gideon brings us a truly unique set of experiences and talents, and he will be a guiding force in our drive to continue the winning tradition of this franchise," 49ers CEO Jed York said in a press release.

York actually tweeted the news eight days earlier from Indianapolis, where NFL owners apparently approved the new ownership.

"Congrats to Gideon Yu, the newest co-owner of the 49ers. Glad to have you as my partner," York tweeted Feb. 2.

NFL sources say that Yu purchased one percent of the team for $8.5 million and that he has an option to buy up to five percent over a period of time.

A spokesman for the 49ers would neither confirm nor deny the percentage of ownership or buy-in details.

--The Niners came roaring back to a place among the NFL's best in 2011, and the team took a step Friday toward keeping their resurgence on track.

General manager Trent Baalke agreed on Friday to a three-year contract extension with the 49ers that will keep him in San Francisco through the 2016 season. "This is a wonderful day for Trent, his family and the 49ers organization," team CEO Jed York said. "Without question, Trent has distinguished himself as the man to direct our football operations for years to come."

This past season was Baalke's first as general manager and his eighth with the 49ers. He was named Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers Association after San Francisco went 13-3, won the NFC West, and advanced to the NFC Championship game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants. The team went 6-10 in 2010.

"I would like to thank Jed, and the York family, for this great opportunity and show of support," Baalke said. "In addition, I would like to thank Coach Harbaugh, as well as our coaches, players, scouts, and entire football operations staff for their hard work and dedication this season. It is a privilege to work for the 49ers organization alongside this group as we continue our pursuit of championships."

--Two new proposals are being floated for a new home for the Minnesota Vikings, one of which would certainly drive home the fact that the name of the team is not the "Minneapolis Vikings."

State Sen. Roger Reinert of Duluth has proposed building a new stadium there and allowing liquor sales on Sunday in order to pay for it. Duluth is Minnesota's fourth largest city, and is located more 150 miles from the Vikings' current home at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

The other proposal is a little closer to home for the Vikings. Ramsey County has offered a new financing plan for a new stadium in Arden Hills, some 15 miles from the current Metrodome. Ramsey County has proposed to use revenue from multiple sources to raise some $20.6 million per year, including parking lot naming rights, parking fees, an admissions surcharge, stadium sales taxes and taxes on ancillary developments.

--Reports that the Buccaneers were set to hire former University of North Carolina head coach Butch Davis as their new offensive coordinator appear to have been premature.

According to ESPN's Rachel Nichols, the Buccaneers will interview New York Giants quarterback coach Mike Sullivan for their vacant offensive coordinator position under new head coach Greg Schiano.

Word circulated on Thursday night that the Bucs had hired Davis. However, no announcement has been forthcoming from the team, and Nichols broke the news Friday via her Twitter account (@Rachel__Nichols) that Sullivan was scheduled to interview.

--The Houston Texans hired Karl Dorrell as their quarterbacks coach. Dorrell spent the past four seasons in Miami, including the past three as the Dolphins' quarterbacks coach.

Prior to that, he was the head coach at UCLA, compiling a 35-27 record in five seasons.

--New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has caught fire this week for dancing at a post-Super Bowl party, but there probably won't be any dancing in his future for a while.

According to a report by Liz Mullen of Sports Business Journal, Gronkowski underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his ankle on Friday morning. His recovery time is expected to be 10 weeks.

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