A new Oakland East Bay USL team housed in a new 15,000-seat stadium is being pitched for the 2021 season by real estate entrepreneur Mark Hall, the latest potential addition for the Division II circuit.
Hall’s nationwide portfolio of varied commercial properties, apartment buildings and hotels includes sports-related developments, including the Shadelands SportsMall facility in Walnut Creek. With a new team and stadium, he is seeking to fill the sporting void in the East Bay when the Golden State Warriors and Oakland Raiders depart for San Francisco and Las Vegas, respectively. The goal is to have a 15,000-seat capacity stadium and team ready for kickoff by the 2021 USL season or sooner. According to Hall, more is on the agenda than just a stadium; as part of his plan, the stadium would be center of a larger development that could include a hotel, a conference facility, retail and more. Sounds perfect to what many have proposed for the Coliseum site.
“Professional soccer continues to thrive across North America, and we are thrilled to participate in its future by bringing a professional USL club to the East Bay,” said Hall in a press statement. “The East Bay area is the center of gravity for soccer participation in Northern California. We have passionate fans who love the game, and I’m looking forward to building the club for this region, with a state-of-the-art venue to call their own.”
“Located in one of the largest media markets in the country, the Oakland East Bay area fits perfectly into our mission of building passionate regional rivalries, and further strengthens the USL’s presence on the West Coast following our recent expansion in Fresno and Las Vegas,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis in a press statement. “We have full confidence in Mark’s vision and plan to bring professional soccer to the East Bay, given his track record of success in real estate investment and development across the country.
“The USL continues to be a leader in the growth of professional soccer in North America by bringing the world’s game to new, untapped markets with proven local ownership groups and soccer-specific venues that deliver an unforgettable experience for fans. East Bay’s stadium will not only serve as a first-class venue for a professional soccer team, but also be a community asset that hosts other events.”