The Oakland Athletics are an American League franchise with a deep, nomadic history originating in Philadelphia (1901) and stopping in Kansas City before settling in Oakland from 1968-2024. Known for their distinct green-and-gold colors and the White Elephant mascot, the franchise has captured nine World Series titles. The Athletics identity is defined by two dominant eras: the early-70s dynasty led by Reggie Jackson, and the early 2000s Moneyball period, where GM Billy Beane used data-driven analytics to build competitive teams with low payrolls. The team is in the process of relocating to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.

The San Jose Earthquakes are one of Major League Soccer's charter franchises, founded in 1996. The club, which adopted the Earthquakes name in 2000 in homage to the area's rich soccer history, embodies a resilient, blue-collar identity forged in the Bay Area. They have won two MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields, with a highly successful revival in 2008 following a brief hiatus. Playing their home matches at the soccer-specific PayPal Park, the Quakes are defined by their passionate fanbase.

The ownership group of the Golden State Warriors, from 1986 to 1995, is best remembered for the dynamic and popular Run TMC team. Coached by Don Nelson, the team featured Hall of Fame trio Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin. They played an exciting, high-scoring, run-and-gun style of basketball, which thrilled fans and made the Warriors playoff regulars.

888 Midas LLC is a strategic investment and business advisory firm founded by Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. 888 Midas focuses on alternative investment opportunities, including private equity, venture capital, and real estate. Williams launched 888 Midas alongside a team of seasoned partners and advisors from the finance, real estate, and hospitality sectors, including Sherif Guirgis, Ross Walker, John Terzian, and Lewis Wolff. 888 Midas was formed to enable Williams to strategically manage business opportunities while maintaining his focus on football. The firm operates on a deal-by-deal investment basis, seeking ventures where it can add value beyond its invested capital.

The St. Louis Blues franchise, established in 1967 as one of the NHL's first expansion teams holds a significant place in the city's sports identity, characterized by both its early perennial playoff appearances and a long history of resilience. The franchise's very existence in the 1980s was secured by local determination, with a group of civic leaders and investors stepping up to buy the team in 1986 to prevent its relocation and push for the eventual construction of a modern downtown arena, the Enterprise Center, which opened in 1994.

RedBird Capital Partners completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in the club in 2022, paying about €1.2 billion. This marked a new era for the Rossoneri, as RedBird aimed to combine strong financial management with a modern, data-driven approach to sports operations. The group emphasized sustainable growth, youth development, and global brand expansion while maintaining AC Milan’s storied footballing heritage. Under their stewardship, the club has sought to strengthen its competitive edge in Serie A and Europe, focusing on infrastructure, commercial partnerships, and digital innovation.

The San Jose Missions were a Minor League Baseball team that played in San Jose, California from 1977 to 1981. They competed in the Pacific Coast League and were initially affiliated with the Seattle Mariners, later becoming the Oakland Athletics Triple-A affiliate. The Missions played their home games at San Jose Municipal Stadium, known for its intimate setting and loyal local fan base. The franchise brought professional baseball back to San Jose after a long absence and helped pave the way for the city’s continued support of the sport, leading to later teams like the San Jose Giants.

PayPal Park is a modern, soccer-specific stadium built in 2015 with a capacity of 18,000 seats, making it one of the most intimate venues in Major League Soccer. The $100 million stadium is renowned for its steeply raked seating that brings fans closer to the action and features the largest outdoor bar in North America located behind the open-end scoreboard. Located across from the San Jose International Airport, the stadium is a versatile venue that hosts soccer, rugby, and major non-sporting events.

The Lew Wolff Training Complex is the Minor League Spring Training facility for the Oakland Athletics, located at Fitch Park in Mesa, Arizona. The complex underwent a $26.9 million renovation completed in 2015, expanding the main training building to nearly 56,000 square feet. It features extensive, rebuilt fields, strength training, and player therapy areas. The complex is a state-of-the-art facility designed to develop minor league talent and is used year-round, serving as the sister site to the main Hohokam Stadium.

The Skydome is a multi-purpose domed stadium in Downtown Toronto, famous for being the first stadium in the world with a fully retractable, motorized roof. Opened in 1989 as the Skydome, the venue has a primary baseball seating capacity of over 41,500 and can host concerts for up to 68,000 spectators. The stadium is currently the home of the Toronto Blue Jays and originally featured the Fairmont Hotel integrated into its structure, with 70 rooms overlooking the field.

The New Las Vegas Stadium, or Athletics Park, is a 33,000-seat, $1.7 billion fixed-roof ballpark currently under construction on the Las Vegas Strip. Designed by BIG and HNTB, the stadium features five overlapping roof shells that provide climate control while allowing natural light. A massive outfield cable-net glass façade will offer iconic views of The Strip. The project broke ground in June 2025 on the former Tropicana site, the nine-acre venue is scheduled to open for the 2028 MLB season and is designed to host year-round events.

Hohokam Stadium, located in Mesa, Arizona, underwent a major renovation in 2014, reopening in spring 2015 as the Oakland Athletics’ spring training home. The redesign transformed the 10,500-seat facility, originally built in 1997 for the Chicago Cubs, into a modern Cactus League venue tailored to the Athletics. The remodel included expanded shaded seating, new clubhouses, enhanced training and rehab facilities, and updated fan amenities. Gensler’s design integrated the Athletics’ green-and-gold branding, desert landscaping, and sustainable upgrades while maintaining the stadium’s intimate sightlines. The result is a refreshed, fan-friendly ballpark combining classic charm with state-of-the-art player and spectator experiences.

Wolff Urban is providing a portion of the funding to participate in the evolving surfing career of Isla Hardy. She is fifteen years old, a NSSA National Championship winner, and an eventual 2032 Olympic participant. Isla Hardy is from Santa Cruz, California and is already making waves on the national stage. Raised near quality surf breaks, she grew up blending surfing with skateboarding and developed an aggressive, expressive style early on. In 2025, she clinched the Open Women’s title at the NSSA National Championships, defeating top competitors in a stacked field. She also competed in the Stab High aerial surf event in Japan, earning invaluable experience among the world’s most progressive surfers. As a VEIA ambassador, Isla balances ambition with humility, showcasing dedication and passion beyond her years. With a fearless approach to competition and a creative flair in the water, she continues to inspire young athletes everywhere with the goal of being on the professional tour and ultimately capturing a world title. Photo: David Nelson