This panoramic photo captures the view from the 50-yard line at Levi's Stadium. As the oldest professional sports team in California, the 49ers have given a great sense of pride and prestige to their fans. The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and joined the NFL in 1949 when the leagues merged. The 49ers were the first major league professional sports franchise based in San Francisco. The name "49ers" comes from the prospectors who arrived in Northern California in the 1849 Gold Rush. 2