Barbara Lee

For decades, Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been a champion for sports and recreation in Oakland—not just for the pros, but for the people. She has fought to keep teams rooted here, invested in youth athletics, and brought millions in federal dollars to improve parks, playgrounds, and public facilities. From West Oakland gyms to East Oakland soccer fields, she believes sports build community, create jobs, and inspire pride. Barbara Lee knows that a thriving sports culture can lift up entire neighborhoods—and as Mayor, she’ll ensure every sports investment benefits Oaklanders first.

1. What are your ideas to help boost Oakland’s tax revenue? Oakland must grow its tax base by attracting and retaining businesses—especially in our neighborhood corridors—while supporting mixed-use development near transit hubs. As Mayor, I will leverage my federal experience to aggressively pursue state and federal dollars for infrastructure, housing, and innovation. I will also improve fiscal oversight to ensure every dollar is spent wisely.

2. What would you have done differently to retain Oakland’s three pro sports teams? I would have led early and consistently—bringing the city, county, and team owners to the table with a shared vision and clear commitments. My relationships at every level of government would have helped unlock resources and keep the focus on solutions, not turf battles.

3. Can pro sports enhance neighborhoods and revenue? Yes—if done right. With strong community benefits agreements, sports teams can generate jobs, boost local business, and revitalize public spaces. But we must avoid deals that put public money at risk without real returns.

4. How will you ensure current teams benefit residents and taxpayers? We’ll require enforceable community benefits agreements and local hiring targets. I’ll ensure city investments support youth programming, workforce development, and small business partnerships.

5. How can pro sports benefit the city? By creating pathways into union jobs, anchoring mixed-use developments, and bringing people into local corridors for games, concerts, and community events.

6. “Benefit” in terms of tax revenue or urban planning? Both. Sports investments must increase revenue through hospitality and commerce, and contribute to long-term planning goals like housing, climate resilience, and transit equity.

7. Plan for Roots, Soul, and Ballers to support youth/jobs? I’ll expand public-private partnerships to fund internships, mentorship, and career pipelines in sports, entertainment, and related industries—especially for youth in under-resourced areas.

8. How to keep Roots, Soul, Ballers in Oakland? Stable venues, city support for promotion/logistics, and inclusion in long-term recreation and cultural planning will help these teams stay and grow.

9. Can major league sports return? Is that your goal? It’s possible—but only if the terms are right. My goal is to bring pride and investment back to Oakland, but not at the expense of community.

10. Plan to bring back a major team? We’ll develop a clear, community-centered plan—aligned with private partners and regional leaders—and use it to pitch a serious, sustainable return for pro sports.

11. What would you do to improve the Coliseum? We need transit upgrades, safe infrastructure, year-round activation, and cultural retail hubs that reflect Oakland’s diversity and creativity.

12. Vision for the 800-acre Coliseum area? A thriving East Oakland destination—featuring mixed-income housing, parks, job training centers, and sports or cultural spaces rooted in equity and sustainability.

13. Do you believe in AASEG’s vision for the site? I respect AASEG’s effort and support a process grounded in equity, transparency, and inclusive community input.

14. How would you improve city-county cooperation? Through joint planning sessions, shared goals, and consistent leadership focused on outcomes—not turf wars.

15. How to improve the Coliseum JPA? Reform governance for transparency, align on shared deliverables, and establish regular public reporting to ensure accountability.

16. Can the JPA be improved or should it be replaced? If it can’t be reformed, we must explore a new structure—one with clear authority, oversight, and community-centered development goals.

17. How to bring global/national events to Oakland? We’ll build venues that meet international standards and pair them with Oakland’s cultural assets to compete for world-class events.

18. Vision for Howard Terminal? Any development must be climate-safe, equitable, and coordinated with Port operations—potentially with a cultural or sports anchor if it meets those standards.

19. How to align urban planning with sports? Use sports investments to catalyze housing, job centers, parks, and transit—creating vibrant neighborhoods around stadiums, not just traffic and parking.

20. How to make government more proactive in planning? Create a Mayor’s Office of Strategic Development to coordinate across departments, track implementation, and engage the public in bold, forward-looking plans.

21. How can pro sports improve Oakland’s image? By highlighting our culture, resilience, and youth talent—pro sports and media can tell a more accurate story about who we are.

22. Connecting pro teams to underserved youth? We’ll support school partnerships, mentorship, and clinics—with a focus on neighborhood-based access to programs and role models.

23. What more can be done for youth programs? I’ll expand city funding and partner with foundations to support arts, academics, and athletics—especially for our most underserved communities.

24. Supporting the Oakland Athletic League? We need stable funding, facility access, and partnerships with pro teams and sponsors to uplift the OAL and its student athletes.

25. How to connect sports legends with Oakland youth? I’ll establish an Oakland Legends Council to mentor youth, support scholarships, and anchor new investments in school and neighborhood sports.

26. Restoring parks and playgrounds? Fund overdue repairs, engage youth in stewardship, and prioritize equity by focusing investments in communities historically left behind.

27. How do we move beyond the loss of the Raiders? By honoring our past but building our future—planning boldly, investing locally, and proving that Oakland can win again, on and off the field.