TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Overview of AC Transit, Oakland Ballers Partnership
BRIEFING ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ?
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving an update on AC Transit's partnership with the Oakland Ballers. [Requested by Director Walsh - 6/12/2024]
Staff Contact:
Nichele Laynes, Director of Marketing, Communications & Customer Services
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The partnership with the Oakland Ballers increases financial efficiency and extends the District's marketing and communications outreach, increasing fare revenue and ridership.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Oakland Ballers Background
With Oakland's Major League Baseball team leaving the city after this season, a new independent baseball team was developed by community groups and supporters to fill the void for local East Bay baseball fans. The Oakland Ballers, who are part of the Pioneer League, invested $1.6 million to revitalize Raimondi Park in West Oakland ahead of their inaugural season which launched in June 2024.
2024 AC Transit Ballers Partnership Overview
Representatives from the Oakland Ballers initially reached out to BART in early 2024 to identify game-day transportation and partnership opportunities. AC Transit was included in the discussion as the most direct service to the ballpark is through AC Transit service. Initially the Ballers were most interested in adding a new bus stop adjacent to the ballpark. During these early discussions, staff leveraged the opportunity to secure a multifaceted partnership between AC Transit and the Oakland Ballers utilizing in-kind trade of marketing and advertising assets, coordination with BART for transfers and promotion, new bus stop locations, and pedes...
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