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One of Silicon Valley's biggest corporate names is letting employees embrace the Super Bowl spirit as the hometown San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Visa sponsors the 49ers, the NFL and Super Bowl LIV itself. The financial services firm planned a week of Super Bowl events for employees in California and in Miami.
All three of Visa’s California-based offices held 49ers-themed events this week, a company spokesperson told FOX Business. Employees at the Foster City, California, branch were treated to a surprise pop-up of the 49ers Team Store at the office on Tuesday and invited to wear team gear to work.
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Courtesy of Visa
Similar festive events were held at offices in San Francisco and Palo Alto on Thursday. Aside from a "spirit day" when employees were encouraged to wear 49ers gear, the company offered Super Bowl-themed free food, such as red and gold cupcakes, in keeping with the team's colors.
Employees at all 13 Visa offices around the country received laminated tote bags featuring NFL stars, including 49ers tight end George Kittle. Visa workers in Miami were treated to a Super Bowl LIV photo booth at the office and chances to win tickets to events, such as Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday.
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Other local companies opted for a visual display of their fandom. Embarcadero Center, home to utility company PG&E and Gap, was lit up with 49ers colors this week, as were the San Francisco and San Jose city hall buildings, the San Francisco Business Times reported.
Courtesy of Visa
Silicon Valley tech giants were less festive in their Super Bowl preparations. A Facebook representative said the company, headquartered close to the 49ers’ home stadium, had “nothing official” planned for employees. Representatives for nearby Google and Apple declined to comment.
Both teams set to play in this year’s Super Bowl opted to reward employees for their work throughout the season. 49ers CEO Jed York said the team will fly out all employees, including interns, to Miami to attend Super Bowl LIV.
Courtesy of Visa
"We're taking a lot of people," York told ESPN. "We wanted to make sure our entire staff had the opportunity to go. From everybody from [head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch] all the way down to interns, everybody has played a part in this. We want to make sure that they're there to help and also celebrate the moment but hopefully help us get over the hump."
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Chiefs ownership is also covering Super Bowl travel costs for team staffers – a total of approximately 2,000 people.
“We wouldn't be here without every employee in the organization,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said. “We felt it only appropriate to bring the entire team."
Super Bowl LIV kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.