49ers Exploring Relocation of Practice Facility Amid Electrical Substation Conspiracy

Theory Briefing

• The 49ers are exploring relocating their practice facility after a conspiracy theory about a nearby electrical substation went viral in January.
• The theory, spreading rapidly on social media, claimed the substation was a primary source of the team's injuries — without established scientific backing.
• The team's willingness to explore a move shows how viral narratives, even unverified ones, can pressure organizations into costly real-world responses.