• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

Oakland Baseball Goes From A’s To B’s

  • Baseball’s independent Pioneer League placing team in Bay Area city.
  • Locale has seen significant change among its pro sports teams.
Oakland Ballers

It’s arguable that no American city has seen more changes to its pro sports scene than Oakland has over the last decade — and additional changes are coming with the planned arrival of baseball’s Oakland Ballers.

The city has lost the NBA’s Golden State Warriors to San Francisco’s Chase Center, the NFL’s Raiders to Las Vegas, and now MLB’s A’s to Sin City as well. In an attempt to fill the A’s void, the Pioneer League unveiled plans on Tuesday to establish a franchise in Oakland starting in 2024.

The independent Pioneer League, based in the Rocky Mountain area, lost its affiliated status after MLB’s 2020-21 restructuring of the minor leagues but still has a partner relationship with MLB as a testing ground for new ideas. 

The Ballers will join a recent influx of new franchises in Oakland, including the United Soccer League’s Oakland Roots. A forthcoming Bay Area WNBA expansion team will also have its front office and training facility in Oakland. In a direct reference to the A’s, the team will be known as the B’s and wear the same green-and-gold colors.

“Our team was ripped away from us,” the Ballers said in its announcement, which included a pledge to never leave town. “Now, we’re stealing baseball for the people of Oakland.”

Bucks For The B’s

Ballers co-founders Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel are helping lead a group of nearly 50 local investors that collectively contributed $2 million in initial funding toward the team. The Ballers will also deploy a crowdfunding campaign to solicit additional contributions from the public. 

The team will play at Oakland’s Laney College, and former Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu will be the club’s executive vice president of baseball operations.

The Pioneer League will announce plans for a second team based in Northern California in January. 

The arrival of the B’s, meanwhile, is happening as Oakland mayor Sheng Thao is pushing for the city to retain the A’s name and branding for a potential MLB expansion franchise.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cubs Agree to Alter Wrigley As Part of DOJ Settlement

The second-oldest MLB ballpark will have to make upgrades again.

Rays’ Future Uncertain As Tropicana Field Repairs Begin

The Rays still don’t know where they will play in 2025.

World Series Delivers 7-Year Ratings Record, Marking MLB’s Big Comeback

Viewership of the five-game win by the Dodgers soared by 74% over last year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.

Las Vegas Aces Cut GM Amid Front-Office Restructuring

The 2022 and 2023 champions lost to the Liberty in the WNBA semifinals.
Oct 8, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run with New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino (left) and pitcher Jose Quintana (right) in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field.
October 24, 2024

OMG: Indie Designers Cashed In on the Most Gimmicky Mets Season Ever

The Mets’ meme-laden season lives on well beyond their playoff run.
October 25, 2024

Inside The Wall at L.A. Clippers’ New $2B Home

FOS went inside the “contagious” energy at the L.A. Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
October 23, 2024

Will Clippers’ $2B Arena Be Enough to Distance from Lakers?

Steve Ballmer spent $2 billion to build the Intuit Dome.
October 20, 2024

Yankees, Soto Make World Series As Superstar Eyes Huge Payday

The perennially high-spending MLB club finally broke a 15-year pennant drought.
October 20, 2024

The Kennedys Wanted to Buy the Dodgers and Put JFK in Charge

A little-known historical twist almost changed the trajectory of the Dodgers.
Jacksonville Jaguars fan Dee Dee Ellis yells with her pink wig during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars edged the Colts on a field goal 37-34.
October 18, 2024

The Jaguars Have Set Up Shop in London. Fans Say Don’t Forget About Jacksonville

As the Jaguars increase U.K. presence, home fans say don’t forget Jacksonville.