Online petition asks Larry Ellison to pay for America’s Cup shortfall

A petition at www.causes.com is asking that Oracle’s billionaire founder and CEO Larry Ellison, one of the richest people in the world, pay the projected $15 million shortfall the City is facing for the 34th America’s Cup, slated to take place in and around the Marina District later this year. Organizers claimed the race could bring nearly $1.5 billion in economic benefits to San Francisco during their original pitch (with Ellison giving the most fervent pitch of all), but with only three sailboats planning to participate, corporate sponsors aren’t stepping up as expected. According to the petition, if Ellison covered $15 million for the event, “it would be the equivalent to someone who has $40,000 donating $13.95.”