Yes, the Oakland A's are leaving but Billie Joe Armstrong, frontman of Green Day, has stepped into ownership of the Oakland Ballers, a new independent team in the Pioneer League. Alongside rapper Too $hort, another prominent figure from the Oakland area, they're both part of a movement that aims to revitalize local sports culture following the departures of the Oakland A’s and the now Las Vegas Raiders.

The Oakland Ballers launched their inaugural season in 2024, playing at Raimondi Park, which hosts about 4,000 fans. The team has taken an interesting approach by allowing more than 2,200 supporters to buy shares, giving them a stake in the organization with a buy-in price reflecting the Bay Area’s area code: $510.

Armstrong told The Hollywood Reporter:

“This is all about bringing families to a ball game. After the A’s left, the town was heartbroken. The Ballers are going to bring good vibes back to Oakland and the broader East Bay.”

"Blow The Whistle" rapper Too $hortal weighed in:

“Oakland is the connection, it’s the diverse city of all walks of life and cultures. We respect each other’s originality, you can be you and with your people. It’s  ‘I fuck with you regardless.’”

The ownership group is trying to differentiate itself from your usual celebrity involvement in sports they say by bringing in folks interested in a genuine investment in the community and its future. The founders, including Bryan Carmel says:

“This isn’t a case of celebrities coming in to save the day. It’s a local team, and Billie Joe and Too $hort are just some better-known locals. I looked over and there they were, sitting in front of my parents. And then I looked again and they were at the merch stand and Billie Joe was buying a T-shirt. It was crazy because we were playing Green Day songs earlier — not because he was there but just because we’re an Oakland club so we play Green Day songs.”

The Oakland Ballers will begin their second season on March 20.