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Oakland Roots

Stadium and Facility Update

April 5, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Dear Oakland Roots and Soul SC Supporters, Members, and Investors,

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for the overwhelming support you demonstrated last month in advocating for Oakland Roots and Soul SC to play in the Coliseum in 2025. Your input was received positively by the Joint Powers Authority and resulted in the unanimous approval for Executive Director Henry Gardner to negotiate and execute an agreement with us.

As we chart our course toward a long-term future as an anchor institution in the Oakland and East Bay community, we write to update you on our efforts to (1) secure a lease at the Malibu Lot for the interim stadium, (2) acquire our training facility at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, and (3) finalize the terms for our 2025 season at the Coliseum.

Playing in the Coliseum:

We are actively negotiating final terms, and waiting on the County to share comments on the agreement. We need your help to inform them of the importance of having professional sports continue at the Oakland Coliseum.

With renovations occurring at Cal State East Bay next year, the Coliseum is our best home venue option for 2025 in Oakland.

With the recent vacancy of the Coliseum, Oakland needs a new tenant to ensure continued usage and economic activity in deep East Oakland. Planning needs to start now to ensure an amazing fan experience and a full stadium!

We need the county's comments without delay.

Building an Interim Stadium at the Malibu Lot Property:

Presently, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors is deliberating a pivot from its intention to execute a ground lease, and instead is planning to sell the Malibu Lot property without completing lease negotiations with Oakland Roots and Soul SC. This is counter to what was initially envisioned via unanimous vote by the Board in September of 2023.

Leasing the Malibu Lot to Oakland Roots and Soul means ensuring the security of professional men's and women's sports in Oakland and Alameda County for the next 10 years.

We need the Board to continue with its commitment and complete a lease with Oakland Roots and Soul before selling the property.

Acquiring the Training Facility at 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway:

Earlier this year, the Oakland City Council unanimously approved the sale of 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. The next step is for the County to approve and complete the transaction.

We have been meeting weekly on this transaction and, over this time period, and the County's perspective of the transaction has evolved to a point where we appear to be headed toward an impasse. We are hopeful the County and City can work together to resolve the issue and move the transaction forward.

The Training Facility will be the place where we develop local athletic talent, host community events like training more coaches for youth teams, and it has the potential to be a big part of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. We are concerned that the lack of pace is slowly whittling away Oakland's opportunities to host top-tier nations for the FIFA World Cup - the biggest sporting event in the world.

We need the county to move forward with the sale of the training facility as quickly as possible or these opportunities will disappear.

Earlier today, we submitted THIS letter to the County Board of Supervisors which highlights many of the concerns mentioned above about all three projects.

We ask you to reach out to all Alameda County Board of Supervisors via email and phone and express your concerns, as well as urge the County Supervisors to move forward with keeping professional sports truly rooted in Oakland and Alameda County.

District 1 - David Haubert - David.Haubert@acgov.org

(510) 272-6691

District 2 - Elisa Marquez - Elisa.Marquez@acgov.org

(510) 271-5115

District 3 - Lena Tam - Lena.Tam@acgov.org

(510) 272-6693

District 4 - Nate Miley - district4@acgov.org

(510) 272-6694

District 5 - Keith Carson - Keith.Carson@acgov.org

(510) 272-6685

Thank you for standing with us as we strive to secure a brighter future for the community. We are so close to ensuring a new hope for sports in Oakland. Your support means everything to the community.

Sincerely,

Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club

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