CALL TO THE CAUSE:

KEEP THE RAIDERS, A'S AND WARRIORS IN OAKLAND

SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS (www.saveoaklandsports.org) is a grassroots group whose goal is to develop a game plan to convince the Raiders, A’s and Warriors to stay and build world-class stadiums in Oakland for the benefit of fans, their franchises, the economy and the entire East Bay.

SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS (SOS) hopes to work with government, business and community leaders to demonstrate to these teams that Oakland offers the nation’s best stadium location and opportunity, fan support and long-term economic stability for their franchises.

But SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS plans to be more than a cheerleading organization.

We are calling on anyone with an interest in these teams to help create a multi-faceted, regionwide campaign and game plan to keep the Raiders, A’s and Warriors (RAW)  economic power in the East Bay.

This organization plans to contribute practical and creative ideas to the teams, City of Oakland and Alameda County officials to generate revenue and private investment – without using general fund money – to build state-of-the-art stadiums in Oakland and create new development, jobs and tourism.

SOS is non-political and all-volunteer.  It is an umbrella group open to anyone who wants to retain our professional sports franchises which have been East Bay civic treasures for decades.   New stadiums will generate temporary and permanent jobs, new investment and new development - and support other events that would showcase the region.

SOS also acknowledges and thanks Oakland and Alameda County officials, business leaders as well as other fan and business groups for their effort to retain these teams.  We hope to collaborate with other organizations on ideas to fund stadium-construction, increase awareness of the teams’ importance to our region and hopefully by extension increase ticket sales in their existing venues.

We believe that Oakland represents an unparalleled stadium construction and ancillary development opportunity including new retail and commercial enterprise, restaurants and entertainment.  Moreover, the East Bay has the individual and corporate fan base to form a solid economic foundation and stability for these franchises.

SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS will gather, contribute and/or help carry out ideas from fans, organizations, unions and businesses to raise money to build these stadiums.  At the same time, we will contact officials of each team to request that they commit to stay and be a partner in this once-in-a-generation opportunity in Oakland.
SOS believes that staying in Oakland is in each team’s best long-term economic interest and that each franchise provides significant socio-economic benefit to the East Bay and Northern California.

WHY IS OAKLAND THE BEST LOCATION?

Oakland and the East Bay offer tremendous assets and options for the   Raiders, A’s and Warriors.

Available land with infrastructure to support new stadiums.

Thousands of businesses from which to draw corporate support. Unmatched transportation infrastructure – proximity to Oakland International Airport, BART (including a new connector to the Oakland Airport), Amtrak and adjacent to a major freeway - to support operations and fan access.

Weather that has been sometimes voted the nation’s “best.”

Unparalleled cultural, recreational and educational opportunities to attract and retain players, fans and corporate support.

A storied fan base with legendary loyalty AND with the potential to GROW with a commitment from the teams that Oakland will remain their home long term.

WHY WAS SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS FORMED?
There is an unquestionable urgency to rally elected officials, businesses and fans to launch a campaign to keep the teams in Oakland.
The Raiders and A’s respective leases at the Coliseum expire at the end of 2013 and the Warriors want a new arena.   Raiders officials have said Oakland is a great location for a new stadium but will consider options.  The A’s hope to move to another city and the Warriors ownership will also consider options – including Oakland – for a new facility.

Moreover, the San Francisco 49ers have already broken ground for a new stadium in Santa Clara.  Some observers speculate this development could increase pressure on the Raiders to be a co-tenant or leave the area altogether.

In short, Oakland and the East Bay face the grim prospect of losing all three of their professional sports teams.

The loss of even one team would be a socio-economic disaster for the East Bay. Save Oakland Sports recognizes the significant challenges presented by our current economic climate and providing services must always be the priority of any city and county government.

These teams are among the East Bay’s and Northern California’s most visible businesses and important tourist attractions.

The Raiders, A’s and Warriors are vital to the identity and economy of Oakland and the East Bay.   The teams help support jobs and scores of businesses in Oakland and beyond.  And construction of new stadiums would herald new economic opportunity.

Therefore, everyone in the East Bay has a stake in this issue.
Because residents from throughout the East Bay and Northern California go and bring their dollars to Oakland on game days, SAVE OAKLAND SPORTS believes the effort to retain the teams should involve the entire region.

We hope that Alameda and Contra Costa officials as well as elected representatives throughout Northern California  will publicly declare their support and work with team officials to achieve this goal.

SOS is intended to serve as a  forum and clearinghouse for concerned citizens, advocate for saving our teams, provide stadium or related news, and avenues for you to become involved.

Please pledge your support by posting your name and organization on this website.

You can also sign up for our mail list, provide suggestions and volunteer to help.  (Note that your personal contact information will NOT be disclosed).

GO RAIDERS, A’S AND WARRIORS!