Throughout his 35-year long music journey, Billie Joe Armstrong has frequently strolled down deserted streets, yet has he ever sprinted across the full baseball field with bases loaded?
I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be part of the ownership group for the Oakland Ballers, Northern California’s East Bay’s sole professional baseball team starting from the 2025 season! Billie Joe Armstrong and iconic Oakland rapper Too $hort are also joining this independent Pioneer League team. Our presence is expected to add a touch of star power to a club that has already garnered lots of local support in its debut season.
Armstrong expressed in an email to The Hollywood Reporter that this is primarily aimed at inviting families to a sports event, a ball game. Since the A’s departed, the town has been mourning. However, The Ballers aim to restore positive energy not only to Oakland but also to the wider East Bay area.
In the freshly established Raimondi Park, the team captivated both the local community and media during their inaugural season, serving as a balm for the pain of the A’s impending departure. Passionate sports enthusiasts frequently filled the 4,000-capacity venue, with volunteers even stepping up to aid in its construction. The club garnered attention due to its unique approach, allowing fans to purchase a stake in the team and secure a place on its board.
The club, established by Bryan Carmel (formerly the head of comedy at Fusion) and his childhood friend from Oakland, Paul Freedman who’s also an edtech entrepreneur, with assistance from external investors, gave fans the opportunity to invest in a $1.2 million funding round last year. Approximately 2,200 individuals took part. They are planning a $2 million funding round for this year.
The duo’s intention is to make Oakland residents feel a personal connection with the players they support, bridging the gap between teams and fan communities that Carmel refers to as a barrier. This comes after years of feeling disregarded by the wealthy owners in the area. Besides the A’s, both the Raiders and the Warriors have recently relocated, with the former moving to Las Vegas and the latter crossing the bay to San Francisco.
Adding $hort and Armstrong, the founders say, fits that pattern.
Carmel mentioned to THR that Oakland and these individuals dislike being labeled or confined,” he said. “They embody their principles.
Briefly, the Oakland-based rap pioneer, renowned for hits such as “Blow The Whistle” and “The Ghetto” (and notably collaborating with both Biggie and Tupac), expresses his belief that this team embodies the finest aspects of what his city has to offer.
Oakland serves as a link, embracing a vibrant mix of individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. Here, we value individuality, encouraging authenticity. Feel free to express yourself and connect with others who share similar values. Essentially, it’s about mutual acceptance – ‘We appreciate you for who you are.’
He expresses a strong fondness for the team’s unique name. “If I can’t boast about being part of a major league squad, I can certainly take pride in being a ‘Baller’,” (The “B” moniker was selected, in some ways, as a playful contrast to the ‘A’s.) $hort mentions that he worked as a vendor at Oakland Coliseum during his high school years, which adds an emotional touch to his ownership. The specific details about the new owners’ investments were not revealed.
Oakland baseball has come a long way from the days when Tenace, Eck, and the Man of Steal ruled the Coliseum. However, don’t underestimate the rich history of the Pioneer League. Established in 1939, this league has seen as many memorable games as it has unusual team mascots. If you’re not convinced, just talk to the fielders on the Idaho Falls Chukars or the relief pitchers of the Missoula Paddleheads. As a current partner league of Major League Baseball, no Pioneer team is officially tied to any big-league club; yet, many players from here have already signed with MLB organizations.
It made news when celebrities like Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds purchased a less prominent Welsh football team located in Wrexham, and they subsequently added some pizzazz to it. Naturally, their actions were also the focus of the FX show titled “Welcome to Wrexham“.
However, Carmel clarifies that the Ballers project doesn’t envision celebrities as the saviors. Instead, he describes it as a local initiative. Billie Joe and Too $hort are simply well-known members of the community where Armstrong became involved. Their connection began when Armstrong happened to attend one of their games.
Carmel remarks, “As I turned, there they sat, positioned before my parents. Then, upon another glance, I spotted them at the merchandise booth, and Billie Joe himself was purchasing a t-shirt. It was astonishing since we had been playing Green Day tunes earlier – not because he was present, but simply because our club hails from Oakland, so we frequently play Green Day songs.
Last year, Armstrong covertly painted the “Oakland B’s” emblem (the team’s nickname) on top of the Oakland A’s logo at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, which subsequently became a popular topic on Instagram.
The action carries some cultural significance. Minor league sports have gained popularity as a counterbalance to the financially dominant global franchises, which may sometimes appear detached from the emotional connection that initially drew many of us spectators. Supporting a major league team can feel like visiting an expensive McDonald’s, while minor league sports offer the charm of our favorite hometown pizzeria instead.
As a devoted supporter, I’m thrilled to see the Ballers truly embodying their democratic spirit. Last year, they conducted an open audition that resulted in the addition of three talented players, including groundbreaking athlete Kelsie Whitmore. Now, the prospect of the fresh owners showcasing local heroes during games is under consideration, adding even more excitement to the fan experience!
Other famous personalities who have ties to the city might also make an appearance on Ballers. It’s worth noting that this metropolis is home to numerous stars from Tinseltown, such as Ryan Coogler, Zendaya, Tom Hanks, and MC Hammer.
As a passionate gamer, I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible community. For now, the spotlight is on us, the fans. The team owners are aiming high, hoping to rally as many of our 430,000 city dwellers to join the spectacle. They want us to witness our rightful home team, as Armstrong so eloquently put it. I can’t wait to let out cheers loud enough for them to hear, echoing across town.
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2025-03-05 17:24