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Oakland Coliseum Sale to AASEG: A Model for Community Development and Inclusion

“AASEG is clearly one of the positive things happening right now, and Oaklanders from the flatlands to the hills should be uniting to make sure that this fact gets celebrated,” said AASEG Founder Ray Bobbitt.

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Some AASEG members who attended the Oakland City Council meeting where the City voted to sell their portion to them for $105,000,000.00. Left to right Jonathan Jones, John Jones III, Alan Dones, and Ray Bobbitt. Photo by Dr. Maritony Jones.
Some AASEG members who attended the Oakland City Council meeting where the City voted to sell their portion to them for $105,000,000.00. Left to right Jonathan Jones, John Jones III, Alan Dones, and Ray Bobbitt. Photo by Dr. Maritony Jones.

By Conway Jones

The Oakland City Council approved legislation to authorize the City Administrator to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) for the sale of the City of Oakland’s half of the Coliseum site. Seven councilmembers voted “Yes.” District 5 City Councilmember Noel Gallo abstained.

AASEG will purchase Oakland’s share of the Coliseum property for a minimum of $105 million.

The Oakland A’s, who are playing their last season at the stadium before temporarily relocating to Sacramento, are buying the other half of the property.

“AASEG is clearly one of the positive things happening right now, and Oaklanders from the flatlands to the hills should be uniting to make sure that this fact gets celebrated,” said AASEG Founder Ray Bobbitt.

Oakland residents and city leaders said they are pleased that AASEG is an Oakland-based development group, believing that the development group knows Oakland best and will preserve its vision.

Jonathan Jones, finance chairperson of AASEG who just returned from doing work in Ghana for two months said, “It is important to build the community by the community.”

AASEG is committed to engaging with East Oakland residents to develop a strong community benefits agreement. This agreement will be a model for community development and inclusion.

“This historic decision finally delivers on those promises by empowering the East Oakland natives and Black developers at AASEG who are dedicated to their community’s health and well-being to develop the site.” said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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