Athletics owner John Fisher is selling the MLS San Jose Earthquakes for a reported $625 million, just over a year before his baseball team is scheduled to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028. The MLS board of governors unanimously approved the deal Friday, and the transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks.
The buyer is Heath Freeman, a sport, media and real estate executive who serves as president of Alden Global Capital LLC and holds leadership roles with Tribune Enterprises LLC and MNG Enterprises, Inc., which manage newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Boston Herald, Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News. Freeman also serves as managing partner of the Florida Freedom PBR team and executive chairman of the AVP beach volleyball league.
Fisher has owned the Earthquakes since 2007, when he and Lew Wolff brought the team back after a two-year hiatus. He privately financed the construction of PayPal Park during his tenure. "My family and I have loved owning this club for almost 20 years, and we are extremely grateful for the support of our amazing fans as well as the hard work of all of our coaches, players and staff," Fisher said in a statement.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber thanked Fisher for his nearly two decades at the helm, during which the team made the playoffs six times. "John has been a great partner and a good friend, and his leadership and investment helped build a strong foundation for the club," Garber said.
Freeman said his vision is "winning on and off the field for San Jose and the entire region." Fisher and his family moved from the Bay Area to Las Vegas last year in anticipation of the A's beginning play in a $2.1 billion, 33,000-seat ballpark under construction on the Strip.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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