• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 5, 2025

A’s Owner John Fisher Eyes MLS Exit Ahead of Billion-Dollar Vegas Project

A person familiar with the deal said it was unrelated to Fisher’s baseball dealings.

John Fisher
Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

The San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer are for sale after nearly two decades under the control of billionaire John Fisher, an heir to his family fortune through The Gap retail empire.

Fisher also owns the A’s, who are playing in a minor league park in Sacramento ahead of a planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028.

Fisher, who has an estimated net worth of about $3 billion, has hired investment bank Moelis & Co. to lead the Earthquakes sale process, he said in a statement Wednesday. Fisher has been principal owner of the Earthquakes—one of the founding MLS teams in 1996—since 2008. His tenure has included the development of the team’s privately funded stadium, PayPal Park, which seats 18,000 and is owned and operated by the club.

The Earthquakes have an estimated value of about $540 million, according to Forbes.

A person familiar with the matter tells Front Office Sports that the planned sale of the Earthquakes is completely unrelated to the situation with the A’s. 

Fisher does need capital to help pay for his planned $1.75 billion baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, however.

The project was originally projected to cost $1.5 billion, but the price has gone up thanks to a series of upgrades, including enhanced general-admission spaces, improved player amenities, and additional club and suite space—in addition to more standard hikes in construction expenses. The new costs are entirely Fisher’s responsibility as the public-sector contribution toward the project is capped at $380 million

The exact parameters of how Fisher intends to fund that remaining $1.37 billion is still not entirely clear; as of last year, he was still marketing potential minority-equity interests in the club. But Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank are providing a $300 million construction loan, and Fisher has pledged that he and his family will contribute up to $1.1 billion. 

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium is planned for next week, on June 23, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“We are proud of the role the Quakes have played in the growth of soccer throughout Silicon Valley,” Fisher said in the statement announcing the hiring of Moelis. “The Bay Area is a special place, and we’re deeply grateful to the fans, players and staff who’ve been with us on this journey.”

Under Fisher, the Earthquakes made five postseason appearances, though they never appeared in the MLS Cup (the furthest the team went under Fisher was the conference finals in 2010). The team has won the MLS Cup twice in its history, prior to Fisher’s ownership, in 2001 and 2003. 

The Earthquakes are currently in the playoff picture, sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference, although there is plenty of regular season left (it runs until October). Under MLS rules, the top seven teams in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs, while the teams in 8th and 9th place play a single-elimination game with the winner advancing.

Fisher was met with scorn from A’s fans during his tenure. For years, fans pleaded with him to sell the team, and that chorus of voices grew louder once he decided to move the A’s out of Oakland, where they had played since 1968. A green SELL shirt became ubiquitous last year during the team’s final season in the city.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Signs promoting the FIFA World Cup Final coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. The World Cup is held every four years and the 2026 World Cup Final match will be played at MetLife Stadium.

High Ticket Prices Define First World Cup Presale

Most fans weren’t picked for the pricey first presale window.

FIFA Won’t Move 2026 World Cup Matches Despite Trump Remarks

The organization’s VP pushes back on recent comments from Trump.

ESPN’s Ben McDonald Stays on Padres-Cubs Call Despite NHL Flap

ESPN sticks with McDonald after his viral hockey “zero chance” jab.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
Blake Bortles appears set to exit Jacksonville with a career 24-49 record.

Private Equity’s Sports Push Has Entered Overdrive

Athletes like Blake Bortles and Rob Gronkowski are diving into sports investing.
September 30, 2025

Jozy Altidore: Becoming an NFL Owner Is Like Going Back to School

Altidore owns stakes in the Bills and the NWSL’s Bay FC.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of several premier sponsors for the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, as seen on Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 14, 2024.
September 30, 2025

The Australian Soccer Player Running Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports

SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend says there is “genuine commitment” to social change.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) completes a pass during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium.
September 25, 2025

Patriots Become Fourth NFL Team to Add Private-Equity Investor

The minority stake sales value the team at more than $9 billion.
Napoli Basketball
September 25, 2025

Napoli Basketball, Campobasso Owner Charts Conglomerate Plan

Matt Rizzetta’s new corporate entity will house multiple pro teams and real estate assets.
Shaedon Sharpe
September 24, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Over Sale of Blazers Minority Stake

The Kings minority owners claim the Cherng Family Trust breached an agreement.
September 23, 2025

PrizePicks Sells $1.6B Stake, Launches Prediction Markets Business

PrizePicks’ CEO believes it is “the next $40 billion company in the U.S.”