RootsBlog

During its City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 6, City of Oakland officials unanimously approved the city’s sale of its half of the former Oakland Raiders and current Oakland Roots and Soul training facility to Prologis by an 8-0 vote. The sale is notably contingent upon a long-term lease agreement between Prologis and the organization.

Tuesday’s meeting was a first hearing for the ordinance, writes the City in its Feb. 6 meeting agenda, and a second final passage reading will occur on February 20. The vote will sell the City of Oakland’s 50 percent ownership to Prologis, while the County of Alameda’s vote on its half of the sale is scheduled to occur on February 27.

Prologis’ purchase of the 5.45 acre plot of land includes 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway, where Roots and Soul currently train, and the former Raiders’ office space at 1550 Harbor Bay Parkway. Roots and Soul would inherit a portion of the former Raiders’ office space, per team sources, which gives the location further viability to host teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Roots and Soul president Lindsay Barenz spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, describing the training facility allows Oakland Soul to step into full professional status and put Oakland on the “world stage” for the World Cup.

“This is a very big moment for our club. We’ve had the privilege for renting from the city and the county for the last three years on a year-to-year basis, its been a wonderful home for us. Now we have the opportunity in partnership with Prologis to acquire the training facility and establish deeper, stronger roots with the local community, and to keep pro sports here in Oakland and the East Bay. It will also give us an opportunity to accelerate the promotion of our women’s team, Oakland Soul, to become a full professional sports team. It will bring professional women’s soccer to Oakland for the first time.”

“We will have the opportunity to submit the training facility to FIFA to serve as a home base in connection with the World Cup in 2026. It will put Oakland on the world stage. With this world-class training facility that we have herein our community, it would be a shame to lose out to another development… Time is of the essence, because even though 2026 seems like a long way away, the catalog will be published in a few months. It will allow national teams to determine where they want to train for the World Cup,” Barenz said.

Visit Oakland CEO Peter Gamez also attended Tuesday’s City Council meeting to speak on behalf of Roots and Soul.

“Today, we are thrilled to support the Roots and Soul organization. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to revitalize the community and enhance our tourism, economy, and anchor to host a national team for the World Cup in 2026. The international exposure gained from hosting events in and around this period will be invaluable for Oakland. Furthermore, our collaboration with the Roots will unlock the potential sports travel… We believe that this partnership will not only spotlight Oakland’s vibrant culture and diversity, but also establish us as a premier destination for global sporting events. Visit Oakland is committed to supporting initiatives that foster growth and prosperity to our city and we’re excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring to our community,” Gamez said.

Roots and Soul were greeted with heavy expressions of approval by City of Oakland officials.

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan has been at the forefront of plans at the Coliseum site and voiced support for the organization’s training facility.

“We have before us sports teams that are committed to being here and building a future here. And I really want to appreciate all the work that’s gone into bringing this back to us, and to bringing this back to us jointly with Alameda County. I’m happy to support this item,” Kaplan said.

District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife reiterated Barenz saying the club wants to establish “deeper, stronger roots” in Oakland.

“I think its a wonderful win for the City of Oakland… I know how much this means to the Oakland Soul and Roots, and I think there is no better name than the Oakland Roots. There’s something Lindsay [Barenz] said, that you’re going to grow deeper and stronger here, and that really resonates when so many people are wanting to leave.”

“I’m definitely committed to being a partner with you all throughout this process for what it means econimically, but really what it means for Oakland young people, giving young folks opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities that can get them college scholarships and follow them for the rest of their lives,” Fife said.

District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid sees Oakland Roots and Soul as a potential “economic driver” for East Oakland at Malibu or the Coliseum.

“I certainly agree this helps position the Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club for an incredible opportunity for us with the World Cup. Just the ongoing opportunity we have with their relationship and presence in East Oakland to really by that economic driver, we have really been working to see that level of investment and community engagement in East Oakland. I think this opportunity presents the measure of time that gives them to invest in ownership in the city as an organization through this pathway with Prologis,” Reid said.

District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran also expressed her approval.

“I wanted to state on the record that I am very supportive proposal,” Ramachandran said.

District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo wants the Malibu site to be created for Roots and Soul, while he also mentioned support of having the Coliseum available for the organization.

“I want to express my support for Oakland soccer. I want to make sure that the stadium gets built at the Coliseum site or at least make the stadium, the Coliseum baseball site, the site available for soccer. Because I’ve seen professional soccer play, they completely fill the stadium. And, so, those opportunities that we have in front of us. We just got to make sure that we get the Coliseum in order to create the stadium, or let them use the facility. You’d be surprised how many people show up to watch soccer here in Oakland,” Gallo said.

With unanimous approval by the City of Oakland on Tuesday, the city will revisit the item for a final time on Tuesday, February 20. The following week on Tuesday, February 27, the County of Alameda will have a final vote on the sale to Prologis and subsequent long-term lease to Oakland Roots and Soul.