Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and East Bay rap legend Too Short are supporting the Oakland Ballers. The two well-known singers, both of whom have East Bay ancestry, will join the team’s ownership group, the team announced on Wednesday.
A fresh round of community funding has also been announced by the Ballers. Following a similar round that was announced in July of last year and was oversubscribed, with over 2,200 fans investing $1.234 million in just nine days, comes the most recent round of community investments.
The Ballers hope to raise $2 million with the most recent round of community funding.
“As an Oakland native, I find it exciting that the Ballers are dedicated to stoking that competitive fire because Oakland has produced some of the world’s best athletes and sports fans,” Too Short said. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Ballers ownership group and am looking forward to the influence we will have on the Bay Area’s sports scene and the community at large!”
“Over the past couple of years, sports in the Bay Area have been changing,” Armstrong said. “There has been a significant change recently, but we have had some heartbreaking farewells to the teams we grew up with. My favorite things that I grew up with in the Bay Area are the Oakland Ballers and the Oakland Roots & Soul. I am proud to be an investor and support the next generation of teams that the Bay’s kids will be proud of because of the friendly environment, do-it-yourself mentality, and individuals who work behind it.
Paul Freedman, a co-founder of the Ballers, said, “We are thrilled that Too Short and Billie Joe Armstrong will be joining our ownership group, along with thousands of Oakland fan owners.” “It is wonderful to have these two local icons on board in a more official capacity. They were huge supporters during our first season.”
