Receive the latest sports updates in your inbox

The two men met before a public ceremony Sunday afternoon aboard the USS Midway museum on San Diego Bay featuring the oldest trophy in international sports.

Sanders says he can appreciate Ellison giving San Francisco the first crack at hosting sailing's marquee regatta. San Diego has hosted three America's Cup regattas.

Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing won back the America's Cup for the United States a week earlier in Valencia, Spain, completing a two-race sweep aboard its space-age trimaran against two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland.

Ellison had a similar conversation with San Fransisco's mayor on Saturday.

Ellison isn't even hinting yet which way he is leading. The location of the America's Cup is decided by the winner of the last race.