window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"news_12098188": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12098188",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12098188",
"found": true
},
"title": "Womens-Sports-guide",
"publishDate": 1788384147,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12098165,
"modified": 1788384164,
"caption": "There's never been a better time to get involved in supporting Bay Area women’s sports.",
"credit": "Darren Tu/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-160x103.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 103,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-1536x992.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 992,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1240
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12051869": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12051869",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12051869",
"found": true
},
"title": "250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed",
"publishDate": 1755024187,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12051862,
"modified": 1755024198,
"caption": "The San Francisco Unified School District Administrative Offices in San Francisco on April 18, 2025.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/250418-SFUSD-04-BL_qed.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12097813": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12097813",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12097813",
"found": true
},
"title": "Valkyries-and-Firebells",
"publishDate": 1788282710,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12096884,
"modified": 1788282729,
"caption": "Want to get involved in supporting Bay Area women’s sports? There's never been a better time.",
"credit": "Darren Tu/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-160x103.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 103,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-1536x992.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 992,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1240
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12083081": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12083081",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12083081",
"found": true
},
"title": "260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED",
"publishDate": 1778516396,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787693485,
"caption": "Golfers play a game at the Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.",
"credit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03842-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12096500": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12096500",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12096500",
"found": true
},
"title": "49ers York Arrested",
"publishDate": 1787589780,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12096497,
"modified": 1787589806,
"caption": "San Francisco 49ers team owner Jed York speaks at a news conference in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.",
"credit": "Jeff Chiu/AP ",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/AP26236557712207.jpg",
"width": 1980,
"height": 1320
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12092732": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12092732",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12092732",
"found": true
},
"title": "072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED",
"publishDate": 1785178826,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1785178859,
"caption": "Tyler Yu prepares his swing at the hitting station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.",
"credit": "Miles Cull/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-36-MC-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12056526": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12056526",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12056526",
"found": true
},
"title": "250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED",
"publishDate": 1758209864,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1758209971,
"caption": "Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet the Raven rallies the crowd during Game 2 of the Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA playoff game at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sept. 17, 2025.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/250917-VALKYRIESPLAYOFFS-12-BL_QED-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12095314": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12095314",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12095314",
"found": true
},
"title": "Houston Astros v. San Francisco Giants",
"publishDate": 1786724212,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12095311,
"modified": 1786729467,
"caption": "Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in San Francisco, California. ",
"credit": "Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2289632405.jpg",
"width": 1980,
"height": 1320
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12024029": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12024029",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12024029",
"found": true
},
"title": "20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40",
"publishDate": 1737748678,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12023999,
"modified": 1738003265,
"caption": "The basketball courts inside of Sonoma State’s gymnasium in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. Sonoma State is cutting its entire Athletic Department, eliminating majors and laying off faculty to address a budget deficit.",
"credit": "Gina Castro/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-40.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12092226": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12092226",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12092226",
"found": true
},
"title": "260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED",
"publishDate": 1784757520,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1784758847,
"caption": "Maleda Youth Soccer players cheer after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.",
"credit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-16-KQED.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11956031": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11956031",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11956031",
"found": true
},
"parent": 11955992,
"imgSizes": {
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 576
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 107
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 372
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280
},
"large": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 680
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 1024
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67104_GettyImages-1437937016-qut-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"height": 533
}
},
"publishDate": 1689798579,
"modified": 1689798629,
"caption": "If you still want to sign up for the SF Marathon, you still have time.",
"description": null,
"title": "Running shoes. Woman tying shoe laces. Closeup of female sport fitness runner getting ready for jogging outdoors on forest path in late summer or fall. Jogging girl exercise motivation heatlh and fitness.",
"credit": "AN Studio/Getty",
"status": "inherit",
"altTag": "An image of a person with lighter skin crouching with one knee bent to tie the laces of their neon orange running shoes. We can't see their face.",
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12091788": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12091788",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12091788",
"found": true
},
"title": "260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed",
"publishDate": 1784505081,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12091779,
"modified": 1784571575,
"caption": "Soccer fans cheer as Spain wins the final World Cup match between Spain and Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.",
"credit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01103_TV_qed.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_news_12096497": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_12096497",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_12096497",
"name": "Josh Dubow",
"isLoading": false
},
"ccabreralomeli": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11708",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11708",
"found": true
},
"name": "Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí",
"firstName": "Carlos",
"lastName": "Cabrera-Lomelí",
"slug": "ccabreralomeli",
"email": "ccabreralomeli@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Community Reporter",
"bio": "Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí is a community reporter with KQED's digital engagement team. He also reports and co-produces for KQED's bilingual news hub KQED en Español. He grew up in San Francisco's Mission District and has previously worked with Univision, 48 Hills and REFORMA in Mexico City.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c309be9665e484f887b818c89e273ecc673004f426f36b24d00a4d813a2e0518?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "@LomeliCabrera",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "about",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "perspectives",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "elections",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí | KQED",
"description": "Community Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c309be9665e484f887b818c89e273ecc673004f426f36b24d00a4d813a2e0518?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c309be9665e484f887b818c89e273ecc673004f426f36b24d00a4d813a2e0518?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/ccabreralomeli"
},
"nnavarro": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11756",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11756",
"found": true
},
"name": "Natalia Navarro",
"firstName": "Natalia",
"lastName": "Navarro",
"slug": "nnavarro",
"email": "nnavarro@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Afternoon News Anchor",
"bio": "Natalia Navarro is KQED's afternoon radio news anchor. She came to KQED in 2021 from Colorado Public Radio, where she was a reporter and host. She has received several awards for her work covering daily and breaking news from professional organizations such as the San Francisco Press Club, Society of Professional Journalists and the Colorado Broadcasters Association. Natalia is originally from Tucson, Arizona, where she got her start in journalism writing for the Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Public Media and the Tucson Weekly. Natalia earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and economics, and her master's degree in journalism from the University of Arizona.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a2bdb19fd9520bdea295a2d5f9b2ad65ec51cf0bf559fb1cc041d3a0a04d62ad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "@NataliaVNavarro",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Natalia Navarro | KQED",
"description": "Afternoon News Anchor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a2bdb19fd9520bdea295a2d5f9b2ad65ec51cf0bf559fb1cc041d3a0a04d62ad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a2bdb19fd9520bdea295a2d5f9b2ad65ec51cf0bf559fb1cc041d3a0a04d62ad?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/nnavarro"
},
"nkhan": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11867",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11867",
"found": true
},
"name": "Nisa Khan",
"firstName": "Nisa",
"lastName": "Khan",
"slug": "nkhan",
"email": "nkhan@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Nisa Khan is a reporter for KQED's Audience News Desk. She was formerly a data reporter at Michigan Radio. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Information from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Communication from Stanford University.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "mnisakhan",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Nisa Khan | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/nkhan"
},
"kdebenedetti": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11913",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11913",
"found": true
},
"name": "Katie DeBenedetti",
"firstName": "Katie",
"lastName": "DeBenedetti",
"slug": "kdebenedetti",
"email": "kdebenedetti@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news",
"science"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Katie DeBenedetti is a digital reporter covering daily news for the Express Desk. Prior to joining KQED as a culture reporting intern in January 2024, she covered education and city government for the Napa Valley Register.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Katie DeBenedetti | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kdebenedetti"
},
"emanoukian": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11925",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11925",
"found": true
},
"name": "Elize Manoukian",
"firstName": "Elize",
"lastName": "Manoukian",
"slug": "emanoukian",
"email": "emanoukian@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Digital News Editor",
"bio": "Elize Manoukian is an award-winning audio producer and Senior Editor on the Express Desk, KQED's digital news platform. Her work has appeared on KPFA, Interlochen Public Radio, Oregon Public Broadcast, the New York Daily News, LA Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Elize Manoukian | KQED",
"description": "Digital News Editor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/emanoukian"
},
"skennedy": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11935",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11935",
"found": true
},
"name": "Samantha Kennedy",
"firstName": "Samantha",
"lastName": "Kennedy",
"slug": "skennedy",
"email": "SKennedy@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/adc7b14bf1e801793202a156ecc864d4ad505b0fd63162a2f3da0e5ba57222d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Samantha Kennedy | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/adc7b14bf1e801793202a156ecc864d4ad505b0fd63162a2f3da0e5ba57222d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/adc7b14bf1e801793202a156ecc864d4ad505b0fd63162a2f3da0e5ba57222d0?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/skennedy"
},
"sarahwright": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11956",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11956",
"found": true
},
"name": "Sarah Wright",
"firstName": "Sarah",
"lastName": "Wright",
"slug": "sarahwright",
"email": "swright@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "Outdoors Engagement Reporter",
"bio": "Sarah Wright is KQED's Outdoors Engagement Reporter. Originally from Lake Tahoe, she completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019 and was a U.S. Fulbright Program grantee to Argentina in 2023. Her journalism has appeared in The Guardian, The San Francisco Standard, The Palo Alto Weekly and the Half Moon Bay Review.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c161a3d6441865cba25e6db4fa561099ad665799e9432e34da2b84d7e371524c?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"contributor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Sarah Wright | KQED",
"description": "Outdoors Engagement Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c161a3d6441865cba25e6db4fa561099ad665799e9432e34da2b84d7e371524c?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c161a3d6441865cba25e6db4fa561099ad665799e9432e34da2b84d7e371524c?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/sarahwright"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"news_category_sports": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_10",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "10",
"score": 12.069257
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "Sports",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "news",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 1
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/news?category=sports",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 1
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"news_12098165": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12098165",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12098165",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1788433200000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams",
"title": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area",
"publishDate": 1788433200,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12096884"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Valkyries-and-Firebells.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Women’s hockey",
"Women’s soccer",
"Women’s rugby"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12098190,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12098173,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12098200,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"The Gist",
"Snatch Magazine",
"365 Hockey Girl",
"Sports Girls Club",
"Too Many Men",
"Jocks in Jills",
"PWHL to San José",
"Women of Hockey San José"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12032644,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"SF Nighthawks",
"Monterey Bay Sirens FC",
"California Storm",
"The Town FC",
"San Ramon FC"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"SF Spikes",
"Flinta",
"Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League",
"OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues ",
"Volo’s rec leagues",
"Dyke Soccer East Bay"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092224,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Full Time",
"Diaspora United",
"The Women’s Game",
"Attacking Third",
"The Re-Cap Show, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath."
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the community hang out?"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Women’s Rugby",
"For The Love Of Rugby",
"Women’s Rugby Pod",
"The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
}
],
"excerpt": "How to get involved with professional women’s hockey, soccer and rugby fandoms around the Bay Area.\n",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1788555378,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 40,
"wordCount": 1756
},
"headData": {
"title": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area | KQED",
"description": "How to get involved with professional women’s hockey, soccer and rugby fandoms around the Bay Area.\n",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area",
"datePublished": "2026-09-03T04:00:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-09-04T13:56:18-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12098165",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams",
"authors": [
"11867",
"11756"
],
"categories": [
"news_34168",
"news_28250",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_32793",
"news_34081",
"news_35888",
"news_27626",
"news_4445",
"news_18541",
"news_1489",
"news_34078",
"news_28623",
"news_25293"
],
"featImg": "news_12098188",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12097872": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12097872",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12097872",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1788295630000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "sfs-lowell-hs-baseball-team-to-forfeit-3-games-remove-coaches-after-investigation",
"title": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation",
"publishDate": 1788295630,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 10961135,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12097322"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/AP24185624360793-1920x1280.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12095564,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "School district officials did not release specifics, but the penalties follow reports of racial taunting at a Lowell High School game last spring.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1788301400,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 17,
"wordCount": 593
},
"headData": {
"title": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation | KQED",
"description": "School district officials did not release specifics, but the penalties follow reports of racial taunting at a Lowell High School game last spring.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "SF Varsity Baseball Team to Forfeit 3 Games, Remove Coaches After Investigation",
"datePublished": "2026-09-01T13:47:10-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-09-01T15:23:20-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 18540,
"slug": "education",
"name": "Education"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12097872",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12097872/sfs-lowell-hs-baseball-team-to-forfeit-3-games-remove-coaches-after-investigation",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lowell-high-school\">Lowell High School’s\u003c/a> varsity baseball team must forfeit three games during the upcoming spring season, after an investigation by the San Francisco school district’s athletic conference found that an incident during last year’s junior varsity championship violated multiple rules. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Unified School District said Monday that it has also removed the team’s entire coaching staff, all of whom have been on leave since May when reports emerged of unsportsmanlike conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lowell-high-racial-misconduct-baseball-22271411.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> said at the time that the conduct occurred at Lowell’s junior varsity championship game against Lincoln High School, where varsity coaches were reportedly present when “alleged race-based taunting by Lowell’s varsity players” occurred.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg\" alt=\"An exterior view of Lowell High School, a gray, boxy building.\" class=\"wp-image-10961135\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet.jpg 1600w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-400x300.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-1180x885.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/05/LowellHighSchoolMainEntranceFromEuclyptausStreet-960x720.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This is the first year that Lowell High School offered ethnic studies. (Wikimedia Commons)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district has not provided details about the incident, which the Chronicle’s May report attributed to inside sources.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Last week, the San Francisco Academic Athletic Conference informed school administrators that its investigation of the incident found that Lowell baseball violated multiple bylaws having to do with sportsmanship expectations, rooting section requirements and hazing policy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a result of the findings, the school district’s governing body for sports determined that Lowell will forfeit the first game of each of three double-headers next spring against local rivals Lincoln High School, Galileo Academy and Washington High School — teams that finished second through fourth in the league last season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The forfeited games were chosen based on the standings last season and the impact it will have on standings in the 2026-2027 season,” commissioner Gail Barksdale wrote in message to school administrators. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Forfeiting the selected games will likely hurt the team, which has historically dominated its division.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lowell won nine more games than second-place Lincoln in 2026 and snagged the vast majority of section championship titles over the last decade, including last year’s, just days after the purported taunting incident.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>An interim coach will be put in place for this year as the school searches for a permanent replacement for first-year head coach Michael Sera, who also taught physical education at Lowell before he was put on leave. Sera was only the third head coach of the team in the last four decades.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to emphasize that there is no place for racism, discrimination, or racialized harm in the Lowell community or anywhere in SFUSD,” a district spokesperson said via email. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>SFUSD said that after the incident was initially reported, Lowell administrators were in contact with the Lincoln team and affected students and families “to ensure that they worked to repair any harm done.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095564\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/081726-SFUSDFIRSTDAY-09-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie speaks during Jose Ortega Elementary School’s first morning circle of the school year on Aug. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>District officials required Lowell players to engage in relearning the sports code of conduct and held discussions on “being upstanders” when there is bullying or harassment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The district said individual players took accountability for their individual actions. All players will be required to complete implicit bias and bullying and hazing training before the start of the spring season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Tuesday that he was aware of the incident and planned to follow up with the school, but that “it sounds like Lowell did the right thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There should be no tolerance of hatred, for those types of remarks, that type of behavior,” Lurie said during an unrelated press conference.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s Jose Velazquez contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12097872/sfs-lowell-hs-baseball-team-to-forfeit-3-games-remove-coaches-after-investigation",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_18540",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_18203",
"news_34055",
"news_20013",
"news_4922",
"news_35354",
"news_29127",
"news_19216",
"news_1258",
"news_1290",
"news_34078"
],
"featImg": "news_12051869",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12096884": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12096884",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12096884",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1788282572000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area",
"title": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area",
"publishDate": 1788282572,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Jump straight to what to know about:"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area",
"Getting into women’s baseball in the region"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12098165"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/Womens-Sports-guide-1536x992.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "‘That passion for community’",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12097805,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Finding connection — and a voice",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12047881,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12097787,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area ",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083065,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"San Francisco Riptide",
"Oakland Swish",
"Hayward Reign",
"Bay City Blaze",
"Berkeley Royals",
"Bay Area Phoenix",
"Alameda Wolves",
"Tech City Titans"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/shortcode",
"attrs": {
"shortcode_type": "self_closing",
"shortcode_name": "iframe",
"src": "https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F",
"width": "640",
"height": "480"
},
"innerHTML": "\n[iframe src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"]\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n[iframe src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"]\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Bounce from KALW",
"Flagrant Magazine",
"StudBudz, which features two Minnesota Lynx players",
"No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show",
"WNBA Gay",
"WNBA Data",
"Bird’s Eye View, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird",
"Defector",
"If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: the Lesbians Google Doc"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"arts_13992300"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/FindingYourPeople_Intro.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"Sports Girls Club",
"Snatch Magazine",
"This Is Women’s Baseball",
"Defector"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "It’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Here’s how you can get involved.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1788555227,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": true,
"iframeSrcs": [
"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed"
],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 50,
"wordCount": 2171
},
"headData": {
"title": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area | KQED",
"description": "It’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Here’s how you can get involved.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area",
"datePublished": "2026-09-01T10:09:32-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-09-04T13:53:47-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12096884",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area",
"authors": [
"11867",
"11756"
],
"categories": [
"news_34168",
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_34081",
"news_35888",
"news_34078",
"news_1131",
"news_18077",
"news_28623",
"news_25293"
],
"featImg": "news_12097813",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12096541": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12096541",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12096541",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1787824800000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "why-are-there-so-many-public-golf-courses-in-the-bay-area",
"title": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area?",
"publishDate": 1787824800,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083082\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083078\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>[baycuriousquestion]\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083077,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"The difference between public and private golf courses",
"How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks",
"Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area",
"What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083083,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What makes a public golf course different from a private one?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083084,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Do golf courses make money for public parks?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083080,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"alt": "",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none",
"images": [],
"ids": [],
"shortCodeTransforms": [],
"imageCrop": true,
"randomOrder": false,
"fixedHeight": true,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"allowResize": false,
"aspectRatio": "auto"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083082,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083078,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12074738"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/260223-PLEASANTHILLSDEV-12-BL-KQED.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/shortcode",
"attrs": {
"shortcode_type": "self_closing",
"shortcode_name": "baycuriousquestion"
},
"innerHTML": "\n[baycuriousquestion]\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n[baycuriousquestion]\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Episode transcript",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Public golf’s storied Bay Area history and why its picturesque courses endure today.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787874603,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": true,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 127,
"wordCount": 4002
},
"headData": {
"title": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area? | KQED",
"description": "Public golf’s storied Bay Area history and why its picturesque courses endure today.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Why Are There So Many Public Golf Courses in the Bay Area?",
"datePublished": "2026-08-27T03:00:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-27T16:50:03-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 33520,
"slug": "podcast",
"name": "Podcast"
},
"source": "Bay Curious",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious",
"audioUrl": "https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/KQINC5143595974.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12096541",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12096541/why-are-there-so-many-public-golf-courses-in-the-bay-area",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"#episode-transcript\">View the full episode transcript.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Oakland resident Mary Newson would hike regularly in the parks up in the Oakland and Berkeley hills. It was a pleasant way to get outside, and there was no one around — even on a usually busy golf course near \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony-chabot\">Anthony Chabot Regional Park.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There were deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and all these animals that had just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it,” she said. “That was really a beautiful thing to see.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But then, the restrictions started to let up, things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks. It made her wonder: Why are there so many golf courses in public parks around the Bay Area? Can and should she visit as a non-golfer? And what is their financial relationship to the park?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083077\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03134-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers practice at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if there was any sort of financial relationship, administrative relationship between the larger park and the golf course that sort of made them work together,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As it turns out, golf — and public golf, in particular — has a storied history in the Bay Area. And apart from a few conversions, mostly of private golf courses, these public greens are unlikely to be going anywhere soon.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jump straight to:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#private\">The difference between public and private golf courses\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#make-money\">How public courses do or don’t make money for local parks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#converting-golf-courses\">Golf course conversions underway in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"#visit-a-golf-course\">What to know if you’re visiting a public golf course for the first time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the history of golf courses in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The sport of golf made its way to the Bay Area with the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 1890s and early 20th century, explained Richard Harris, who advocates for accessible golf with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/\">San Francisco Public Golf Alliance.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That included influential city leaders like John McLaren, the “father of Golden Gate Park,” who was a Scot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083083\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04079-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Harris, president of the SF Public Golf Alliance, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaren, Harris said, was influential in creating Lincoln Park and Harding Park in San Francisco, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfpublicgolf.org/index.php/save/alister-mackenzies-sharp-park\">Pacifica’s Sharp Park\u003c/a>, designed by famous golf architect Alister MacKenzie. These are all public, not private golf courses, and are considered to be world-class, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time,” Harris said. “It’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and, for that matter, in the world.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"private\">What makes a public golf course different from a private one?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Public golf courses are those owned by local governments or parks districts. In the Bay Area, they tend to be inside or next to public parks you may know or frequent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses help lower barriers to the sport by being accessible and relatively cheap, said Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a member of the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083084\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04136-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lily Achatz, president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, poses for a portrait at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s stunning and what makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here,” Achatz said. “The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"make-money\">Do golf courses make money for public parks?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Depending on the city or parks district, public golf courses can be real money-makers. Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District, said Tilden Golf Course made the district $800,000 last year. It was the most profitable concession in the entire parks district last year, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/fy26-adopted-operating-capital-projects-budgets-w-bookmarks.pdf\">according to district documents.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not the case with every city or district. In San Francisco, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-golfers-grumble-over-course-privatization-plan-20184922.php\">the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://sfstandard.com/2025/07/22/sf-parks-fees/\">begun raising rates\u003c/a> at some public courses to help close the gap. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, course fees are limited by a public board to keep fees low-cost for residents, Korten said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"converting-golf-courses\">Have there been any talks of converting golf courses to other uses?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s no widespread movement to convert golf courses in the Bay Area into other uses. But there are two notable examples of private golf courses undergoing their own transformations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most controversial right now is Pleasant Hills in San José. It’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074738/housing-advocates-call-this-big-plot-of-san-jose-land-the-most-important-in-a-century\">a former private 115-acre golf course\u003c/a> that may become 2,000 new homes with some commercial and open space. It’s currently in environmental review as the community goes back and forth on what to do with it. What to do has become a fight, said Manira Sandhir, deputy director of planning for the city of San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03581-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083082\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083082\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-04043-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golfers play a game at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12083078\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260506-GOLFINGBAYCURIOUS-TV-03155-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golf balls line the ground at Golden Gate Park Golf Course Clubhouse in San Francisco on May 6, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“On one hand we have the community who’s directly affected by this project and has expressed concerns about the traffic that it would generate,” she said. It’s located in a highly car-dependent area, and there’s not a lot of transit or freeway access there either. “But then on the other hand, we have housing advocates who want to see more housing at the site, and they feel that putting 2,000 units at the site would be underutilization of this really large acreage that’s available for development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The course, Sandhir said, was established in the 1960s but closed in 2004, likely for financial reasons — so not explicitly for this conversion. Sandhir said it’s likely to be years before the dust settles and a coherent plan for the site emerges.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Farther to the north, in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, another golf course has seen the end of its days. The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization, converted what was once a private 18-hole golf course into \u003ca href=\"https://www.tpl.org/our-work/san-geronimo-commons\">San Geronimo Commons\u003c/a>, a public park that fills a missing connection to surrounding open spaces, restores water rights to the Larson Creek and returns the land to its former function as a wetland. A county firehouse has even taken over the old golf clubhouse.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I do think cities, park systems across the country, certainly in California, are rethinking their inventory and what can happen,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The car paths became walking paths, the sand traps became sandboxes for the kids,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, Trust for Public Land’s California director. He said this is one of four golf course conversions they have helped lead in the state, part of what he sees as a growing trend in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Geronimo conversion wasn’t without its own controversy. After purchasing the property in 2018, Trust for Public Land launched a two-year process to narrow down what the community wanted from the property – and not everyone agreed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We had a lot of passionate golfers who had lots of memories tied to that facility,” he said. “And while, yes, there were other facilities they could go play golf in, they had history there, and so we had to work through that.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Senior manager on the project Erica Williams said in some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for the transition of the property — opening people’s imaginations to how their community spaces could look. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the pandemic, I think that really allowed people to connect with the landscape, to reconnect with the land and to imagine a future,” she said. “It became a sanctuary.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"visit-a-golf-course\">Can I visit a golf course as a non-golfer?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Municipal golf courses are open to everyone, whether you want to reserve a tee time to try your hand at playing, practice your swing at the driving range, or just hang out at the cafes and restaurants onsite. Unlike private courses, there is no dress code at public golf courses. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While walking along the course if you’re not playing generally isn’t allowed (getting hit by a ball is a real risk), many courses like Tilden have walking trails nearby that are open to anyone. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you want to play a round of golf, you should plan to book a tee time in advance. Public courses also offer golf club rentals if you don’t have any of your own.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "baycuriousquestion",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-content post-body\">\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"episode-transcript\">Episode transcript\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything is shut down – even the gym. So Bay Curious listener Mary Newsom decided to go for a walk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I live in Oakland. And so I would usually sort of go up to the ridgeline and start hiking and all the regional parks that are up on the ridgeline.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Eventually, Mary made her way up to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Given the pandemic, there was no one around.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>And so one of the golf courses that’s right alongside Chabot was completely empty. There were, like, deer and bunnies and geese and ducks and turkeys and like all these animals. That it just converged onto the golf course because nobody was using it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> But then, the restrictions started to let up, and things started to reopen, and Mary would start to find dozens of golf balls on her walks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>It sort of made me wonder about the relationship between the park and the golf course that’s right up against it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Mary looked into what other municipal golf courses are located inside public parks, and the list is really quite long…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Lincoln Park, Gleneagles, Tilden Park, Lake Chabot, Redwood Canyon, Sequoia…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>And that’s just a partial list. This all got Mary wondering about the relationship between public parks and the golf courses within them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Why are there so many golf courses in the Bay Area right next to, or inside public parks? Do they subsidize the parks? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>We sent KQED’s outdoors reporter, Sarah Wright, to take a swing at finding some answers. She started, as you might expect, at Hole 1.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Birds chirping, golf balls getting whacked\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> The Golden Gate Park Golf Course is set up on a hill, right by San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The breeze is strong, and a hawk has been circling overhead as a new set of golfers sets up at the first hole every 15 minutes. Here, I run into Lizzie Yurchak. She lives in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, and she came out to play the course today with a coworker who is from out of town.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>He lives in Texas, so we were like, what’s something fun we can do while he’s visiting the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> It’s her first time out to this course — actually, her first time golfing in the Bay Area since she moved here from Philadelphia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak:\u003c/strong> I don’t have my clubs out here, so maybe I’ll feel inspired today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And what are your goals for today on the golf course?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lizzie Yurchak: \u003c/strong>Um, don’t shank it. And don’t lose foul balls. I think that’s about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She does not, in fact, shank it. I watch as she lines up for a stroke.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lizzie hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> There we go!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Besides meeting golfers like Lizzie, I’m actually here to meet Richard Harris and Lily Achatz. They’re with the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, which advocates for affordable golf in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Hi, Sarah.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Lily, great to meet you. Thanks for having me.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>Of course!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I am here to ask them Mary’s question. Why are there so many golf courses in public parks in the Bay Area?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To answer that, Richard says, we have to dig into history.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Golf has been an important part of the Bay Area for a long time. And it’s one of the major golf areas in the country, and for that matter, in the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Golf traces its origins to Scotland — Richard explains.\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cem>Scottish music plays\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>Originated in what they called the Links Land, which is the land between the cities and the coast, which was not much use for anything. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Richard says that in the 1890s and early 20th century, immigrants, including Scots, came here and brought golf with them. Among them was a man who had a huge impact on recreation in our region. The father of Golden Gate Park – John McLaren. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>John McLaren was a Scot. John McLaren liked golf. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>He first built Lincoln Park, a golf course by the Legion of Honor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> And then quickly, he found another Scot to design Harding Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… A legendary course near Lake Merced.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>And then another Scot to design Sharp Park…\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>… Just steps from the ocean in Pacifica.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris: \u003c/strong>That Scot being Alistair McKenzie. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>McKenzie is most famous for having designed Augusta, in Georgia, where the Masters is played.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those iconic early courses built in the Bay Area were — and still are — all public, not private, golf courses. And today they’re known as some of the most premium municipal courses in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, Richard said, publicly owned courses make up about a third of all courses statewide. And they’re at the forefront of welcoming new players into the sport and combating golf’s reputation for being overly white, male and exclusive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lily Achatz, president of the Harding Park Women’s Golf Club, knows that firsthand. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> I didn’t grow up playing golf. I got into golf much later, about like six years ago. I don’t know how many sports there are that you can get into, you know, get into it so late. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>She says municipal golf courses, with their relatively cheap fees and open access, are critical to help lower barriers to the sport.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>A private golf club could run you thousands of dollars in initiation fees, monthly dues and food and beverage minimums. A round at a public golf course, meanwhile, ranges from about $30 to $100, with discounts for residents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz:\u003c/strong> What makes it so wonderful is that there’s all different generations here. There’s friends, all different backgrounds. The municipal courses are so important because it’s hard to get access to a country club or even be accepted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>In fact, golf wasn’t even racially integrated until the 1950s. And Bay Area municipal courses had a role in that, too. Richard shows me a photo of a plaque that hangs at Pacifica’s Sharp Park course. At the time, the course was known for denying tee times to Black players. But in 1955, that changed when Sharp Park became the site of the inaugural championship tournament of the Western States Golf Association, one of the country’s oldest and largest African American golfing organizations.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Richard Harris:\u003c/strong> It was swimming pools in the south. In San Francisco, it was golf courses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Still, even today, municipal courses can feel exclusive. When Mary asked her question originally, she actually pointed out this bias she feels. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>If I’m walking through a city park and I pass by tennis courts, I don’t really blink an eye, or basketball courts. But it’s funny that to me, like a golf course strikes me differently, you know that I sort of wonder, oh, wait, why is this here? And who actually uses this? You know? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> When we return, we explore who these golf courses are for. And get into the finances. Stay with us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Music starts\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>KQED’s Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is very familiar with the condemnation golf courses sometimes face.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Any type of golf course will inevitably draw criticism from those worried about its environmental impact. They are, after all, enormous, frequently watered, heavily manicured lawns. Many golf courses are\u003cem> \u003c/em>working to become more sustainable, but that could be its own story for another day.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To keep things focused on Mary’s question, I spoke with Max Korten, acting general manager of the East Bay Regional Parks District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He says the public has just as much a right to nice turf on a golf course as any other park amenity. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten: \u003c/strong>I think it’s one of the really cool things about some of our parks is like, in Tilden, there’s like the merry-go-round, the steam trains, the golf course, like some of these things that… You kind of feel like you’re visiting another era.\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003cbr>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>East Bay Regional Parks has two golf courses, Tilden and Redwood Canyon, and Max says they take up just a combined 240 acres of the 120,000 the district manages. And the golf courses aren’t just for golfers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> The driving range is something that like anybody could do. I’ve taken my son there, my dad and step-mom, like who haven’t really ever played golf, and go just try to hit balls. And it’s really fun and fairly inexpensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Max explained that golf courses in East Bay parks are operated as concessions. So a private company, in this case, called Touchstone, operates the courses and then a percentage of their profits, around 10 percent, goes to the parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They can also be a major money maker for the parks. Last year, Max said, Tilden brought in over $800,000 in revenue — it’s the most profitable concession in the entire parks district. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the East Bay, fees are limited by the public parks district board to keep things affordable for the golfers themselves, Max said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Max Korten:\u003c/strong> Keeping these public courses around to provide low-cost ways for community members to access golf is really important because I think they’re sort of an equity opportunity to make sure that this sport is available to everyone. \u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>\u003cbr>\u003c/strong>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Now, not every city can say public golf is a money maker. In San Francisco, for example, the city is subsidizing the courses’ expected $6 million deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year, and the city has begun raising rates at some public courses to help close the gap.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, to answer Mary’s question, there often is a symbiotic relationship between the parks departments and the courses – but not always. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I went and told Mary what I found — about how the golf courses she was walking by during the pandemic — do help fund the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary: \u003c/strong>I’m glad to hear that they’re actually making money for East Bay Regional Parks. I feel like, you know, parks are always underfunded, you know, they’re always sort of like the first to be cut. So, to hear that they’re actually supporting the park, I think, is great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>I admit — I was surprised to learn that too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Yeah, it’s definitely sort of changed my mind and sort of given me more of a positive perspective on them than I had before.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>So much so that she was even willing to give it a try herself. Olivia and I asked Mary and Lily Achatz, from the San Francisco Public Golf Alliance, to join us at Corica Park in Alameda. It’s hot and sunny, and for a Thursday afternoon, the golf course is bustling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>You guys brought the good weather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Corica Park actually has several golf courses, and even a foot golf course where you can kick soccer balls into giant holes in the green. We convened at the smaller Par 3 course, which is a great option for kids, beginners or anyone looking for a lower-key experience — which was perfect for our group of just one expert and three complete amateurs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> I have never played golf before ever in my life. Not even miniature golf, actually, neither one. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>So how do you predict this is going to go?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>I honestly don’t know, but I do see some water over here and I imagine one of my balls would go in there.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Well, as it turns out, Mary is an athlete – she grew up playing basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, rowing — you name it. So she got the hang of it quick.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>Here, I’m just going to do a gentle putt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Mary hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Nice, woohoo!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom: \u003c/strong>My first ever!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>Olivia and I, we did our best… \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> Okay, it only took three swings to make contact.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> And you did it. And you were lined up perfectly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>And, no surprise, Lily crushed us all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Sound of Lily hitting the golf ball\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>That was incredible, I don’t even know where it went! \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Lily Achatz: \u003c/strong>It sliced to the right.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright: \u003c/strong>After around an hour, we called it quits. I asked Mary how she thought it went.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mary Newsom:\u003c/strong> It felt a little funny, but I think if I did it more, I would definitely get used to it, you know, and it would be something, like, I would be at home, right? You know before bed or something like that, practicing my swing, like, okay, you know.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> So, Olivia, what do you think? Is there more golfing in our future?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price:\u003c/strong> I think I’m going to stick to podcasting, for now. But I don’t know, Mary seemed to be getting into it. Maybe we’ll have to check in with her in a year and see how things are coming along.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> I know that I’ll be practicing my swing. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter for KQED. Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sarah Wright:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Olivia Allen-Price: \u003c/strong>Bay Curious is made in San Francisco at member-supported KQED. Our show is produced by Katrina Schwartz, Christopher Beale, Anna Casalme, and me, Olivia Allen-Price. We get extra support from Maha Sanad, Katie Sprenger, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on team KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists San Francisco Northern California Local.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I’m Olivia Allen-Price. Have a great week.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>"
}
],
"link": "/news/12096541/why-are-there-so-many-public-golf-courses-in-the-bay-area",
"authors": [
"11956"
],
"programs": [
"news_33523",
"news_34552"
],
"series": [
"news_17986"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_33520",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_18426",
"news_129",
"news_823",
"news_34054",
"news_34560",
"news_383",
"news_38",
"news_18541",
"news_34078",
"news_1855"
],
"featImg": "news_12083081",
"label": "source_news_12096541"
},
"news_12096497": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12096497",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12096497",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1787590322000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "49ers-owner-jed-york-pleads-no-contest-to-2-misdemeanor-charges-in-ohio",
"title": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio",
"publishDate": 1787590322,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/49ers\">San Francisco 49ers\u003c/a> owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also was fined $1,150.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Court records show that York initially was charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12096502\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jed York speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX on Feb. 9, 2026 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. York also completed an online course.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 49ers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 46-year-old York took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008. He became the team’s principal owner in 2024. After some initial struggles under York’s leadership, the team has been a consistent contender since hiring coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Niners have made the Super Bowl three times under York’s leadership, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and the 2019 and ’23 seasons under Shanahan and Lynch.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/49ers\">San Francisco 49ers\u003c/a> owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/49ers\">San Francisco 49ers\u003c/a> owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He also was fined $1,150.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He also was fined $1,150.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Court records show that York initially was charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Court records show that York initially was charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12096502,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12096502\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jed York speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX on Feb. 9, 2026 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12096502\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jed York speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX on Feb. 9, 2026 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. York also completed an online course.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. York also completed an online course.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 49ers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The 49ers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 46-year-old York took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008. He became the team’s principal owner in 2024. After some initial struggles under York’s leadership, the team has been a consistent contender since hiring coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The 46-year-old York took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008. He became the team’s principal owner in 2024. After some initial struggles under York’s leadership, the team has been a consistent contender since hiring coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Niners have made the Super Bowl three times under York’s leadership, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and the 2019 and ’23 seasons under Shanahan and Lynch.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Niners have made the Super Bowl three times under York’s leadership, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and the 2019 and ’23 seasons under Shanahan and Lynch.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787590330,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 11,
"wordCount": 319
},
"headData": {
"title": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio | KQED",
"description": "York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to 2 Misdemeanor Charges in Ohio",
"datePublished": "2026-08-24T09:52:02-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-24T09:52:10-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"source": "AP News",
"sourceUrl": "https://apnews.com/",
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "Josh Dubow",
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12096497",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12096497/49ers-owner-jed-york-pleads-no-contest-to-2-misdemeanor-charges-in-ohio",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/49ers\">San Francisco 49ers\u003c/a> owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>York was arrested Sunday in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest Monday morning. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He also was fined $1,150.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Court records show that York initially was charged with engaging in prostitution, but prosecutors amended that to disorderly conduct. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1321\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12096502\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/GettyImages-2260236530-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jed York speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX on Feb. 9, 2026 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Records also show that York had a cellphone returned to him and that $160 that was seized was to be given to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of the plea agreement. York also completed an online course.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The 49ers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 46-year-old York took over day-to-day control of the 49ers from his parents in 2008. He became the team’s principal owner in 2024. After some initial struggles under York’s leadership, the team has been a consistent contender since hiring coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in 2017.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Niners have made the Super Bowl three times under York’s leadership, losing in the 2012 season under coach Jim Harbaugh and the 2019 and ’23 seasons under Shanahan and Lynch.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>York also oversaw the building of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014. The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12096497/49ers-owner-jed-york-pleads-no-contest-to-2-misdemeanor-charges-in-ohio",
"authors": [
"byline_news_12096497"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_35965",
"news_1386",
"news_499",
"news_505",
"news_34078",
"news_783"
],
"featImg": "news_12096500",
"label": "source_news_12096497"
},
"news_12095587": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12095587",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12095587",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1787148000000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "is-your-kid-maybe-a-baseball-prodigy-thatll-cost-thousands-of-dollars",
"title": "Is Your Kid Maybe a Baseball Prodigy? That’ll Cost Thousands of Dollars",
"publishDate": 1787148000,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Is Your Kid Maybe a Baseball Prodigy? That’ll Cost Thousands of Dollars | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of How We Get By, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Theo Steele, 13, has been playing baseball for nearly half of his life. Like a lot of kids, he began with an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> team at the Little League level, which is meant to be recreational. Fun over foul balls. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But a year ago, he wanted to step up his game after batting two home runs during a home run derby. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s like when I thought I was actually pretty good at baseball,” Theo said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Theo’s mom, Jonna Prinzing, enjoyed the low-stakes experience. Little League isn’t a huge time commitment, and the costs can be manageable. But when Theo asked to join a travel baseball team — the next rung in the aspiring youth athlete ladder — Prinzing hesitated.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You pay per tournament, as well as a fee to be part of the team,” she said, as she cheered on her son during a recent Major League Baseball-sponsored skills competition in Oakland. The teams have multiple practices a week and tournaments most weekends. “All of that was what held us back from joining sooner.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Theodore Steele follows through on his pitch at the pitching event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092731\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092731\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A volunteer scores a ball that flew all the way to zone 3 of the outfield during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092728\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Balls lay in wait for the next competitor at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A growing number of kids are pursuing competitive sports as young as elementary school. Since the 1980s, competitive club and travel teams have exploded into a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbaird.com/siteassets/gib/pdf/organized-sports-whitepaper.pdf\">$40 billion industry\u003c/a>, and many parents feel an enormous pressure to pay so that their kids can play. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to a \u003ca href=\"https://rais.education/wp-content/uploads/0563.pdf\">2025 report\u003c/a> by the Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, since 2010, spending on youth sports has increased more than 55%, and nearly 60% of families are financially strained by their children’s sports — while 11% reported that they planned to take on debt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.dataforadifference.com/ignite/pay-to-play-youth-sports-cost-bay-area-families-5610\">\u003cem>Data for a Difference\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>,\u003c/em> on average, Bay Area families spend nearly $2,000 annually for one child to play one club sport.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prinzing ultimately signed up her son for Future Stars Baseball, which \u003ca href=\"https://futurestarbaseball.com/travel-ball/\">charges\u003c/a> a $600 team fee for the upcoming fall season. Every tournament players attend costs another $125, and extra intramural games are $35 a piece. Plus, families are expected to buy uniforms, priced at $125 a year, along with gear, such as cleats, gloves and bats.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People want to do the best things they can for the kids, so when opportunities come up to play baseball, parents are willing to pay,” said Joe Oh, co-founder of the Oakland Baseball Foundation, a nonprofit that runs baseball travel teams and camps. The organization is part of a growing movement attempting to keep costs lower than similar teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A changing youth sports landscape\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These efforts aim to counterbalance the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOeQQ019aA\">rise in private equity firms\u003c/a> that invest in sports complexes and teams — raising costs for families along the way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2024, Josh Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, a chairman at Blackstone and owner of multiple professional sports teams, launched a youth athletics holding company called Unrivaled Sports that owns sports camps, leagues and venues. They started with a portfolio of 12 facilities and now have 15. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092876\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Orion Mitchell swings for the fences at the hitting station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition on July 23, 2026, at Bushrod Park in Oakland. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2025, they acquired the \u003ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unrivaled-sports-announces-long-term-investment-in-twin-creeks-sports-complex-302636796.html\">Twin Creeks Sports Complex\u003c/a> in Sunnyvale and Big League Dreams in Manteca.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Oh said tournament fees have increased significantly at Unrivaled Sports-owned properties. The teams’ entry fee for an upcoming two-day \u003ca href=\"https://cabaseball.usssa.com/event/summer-heat-south-bay/\">Twin Creeks tournament\u003c/a> is $930 — plus a $399 gate fee that teams pay upfront to help cover spectator admission. The \u003ca href=\"https://tprbaseball.com/tournaments/item/super-labor-day-weekend?category_id=38\">tournament fee\u003c/a> for a TPR Baseball event at Mistlin Fields later this month is $855.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What the private equity firms realized was, ‘There’s an opportunity to capitalize on the fields, the uniforms, the equipment, the coaching — all the opportunities that come along with this,’” Oh said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>‘We don’t have thousands to spare’\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The percentage of children who participate in organized youth sports is significantly correlated with household income, according to the Aspen Institute’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/introduction\">State of Play survey\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2023, about 37% of kids in households with incomes below the national poverty level participated in \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/participation-trends#5\">organized youth sports\u003c/a>, compared to about 73% of kids in households whose income was four times the national poverty level. The data found that children from homes earning $100,000 or more are twice as likely to play travel sports than those in homes making under $50,000.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1382\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092727\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-1536x1061.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division wait their turn at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" data-id=\"12092730\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092730\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matteo Mendoza returns with a ball as Kenny Lofton III watches on at warmups during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1323\" data-id=\"12092725\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092725\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED-1536x1016.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division listen to Ryland Henke as he lays down the rules of the event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Homero Espinosa, a board member for the Oakland Baseball Foundation, said that while not joining a club team doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid won’t play their sport at a high level, it does put them at a disadvantage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kids who have access to the travel ball teams, who are playing a lot more baseball a lot more competitively, obviously are going to have a leg up,” he said. “It’s expensive, it limits access, but that’s how you get to start playing more and more competitively.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are low-cost and low-commitment options. Many elementary and middle schools have various team sports, and seasonal Little League, Pop Warner Football and AYSO soccer remain popular.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s accessible. It’s a good entry point for beginner kids,” Espinosa said. “But for the kids who want to compete and want to further their opportunities, [that] is where the travel ball teams come into play.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Emmalene Maile’s son has played in San Lorenzo’s Little League, which costs about $250 a season, for a few years. He loves baseball, but Maile said her family hasn’t considered travel ball yet. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I heard it was a lot of money from another parent,” she said. “She did say that there was a payment plan, but like thousands of dollars. We don’t have thousands of dollars to spare.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She said her son has asked about playing travel ball, but he hasn’t pushed for it yet. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I know for sure as he gets older he’s definitely going to want to play,” Maile said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’d do our best to save up for it,” she said. “Hopefully we would be able to afford it. It is a big expense.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding access\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Oh said travel ball is marketed to parents as essential if they want their kid to play at collegiate level. He said that’s not always the case, but “what was evident to us is that we are diminishing the number of kids who have the opportunity to at least even try.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The point of this organization is to create as much opportunity as possible, and then let the kids decide if they want to play,” Oh said. “Let us create an infrastructure where anyone who wants to play and shows the willingness to want to learn [can] be trained under high-level coaches.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the case of Oakland Baseball Foundation, its estimated costs are about $5,000 a year, compared with between $10,000 and $15,000 for some teams. A quarter of Foundation players receive scholarships, and they put profits into restoring city fields, like the one at Bushrod Park, where they hosted the recent MLB event.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1385\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-1536x1064.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthias Hicks prepares his throw at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Other organizations, like the Volo Kids Foundation, aim to fill similar gaps outside of the competitive arena.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Becca Beltramo has registered her foster daughter for the organization’s free six-week sports programs consistently over the last year. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m a single parent, so when looking online at the different leagues or the different opportunities for her, it’s a big cost for us and our family,” she said. “I’m on a single income, and it’s hard to make all those things happen for her, but I don’t want to limit her possibilities because of our finances.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Beltramo’s foster daughter has played Volo soccer over the last year. The once-a-week programming includes a warmup, focused skills work and a scrimmage or a structured activity. They also provide T-shirts and the equipment required for the specific sport. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Volo is a great middle ground for us,” Beltramo said. She said for now, club sports “come with a lot of hidden costs, I’ve found out, that I’m not sure that our family is ready to take on.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of How We Get By, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of How We Get By, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Theo Steele, 13, has been playing baseball for nearly half of his life. Like a lot of kids, he began with an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> team at the Little League level, which is meant to be recreational. Fun over foul balls. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Theo Steele, 13, has been playing baseball for nearly half of his life. Like a lot of kids, he began with an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> team at the Little League level, which is meant to be recreational. Fun over foul balls. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But a year ago, he wanted to step up his game after batting two home runs during a home run derby. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But a year ago, he wanted to step up his game after batting two home runs during a home run derby. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s like when I thought I was actually pretty good at baseball,” Theo said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“That’s like when I thought I was actually pretty good at baseball,” Theo said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Theo’s mom, Jonna Prinzing, enjoyed the low-stakes experience. Little League isn’t a huge time commitment, and the costs can be manageable. But when Theo asked to join a travel baseball team — the next rung in the aspiring youth athlete ladder — Prinzing hesitated.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Theo’s mom, Jonna Prinzing, enjoyed the low-stakes experience. Little League isn’t a huge time commitment, and the costs can be manageable. But when Theo asked to join a travel baseball team — the next rung in the aspiring youth athlete ladder — Prinzing hesitated.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“You pay per tournament, as well as a fee to be part of the team,” she said, as she cheered on her son during a recent Major League Baseball-sponsored skills competition in Oakland. The teams have multiple practices a week and tournaments most weekends. “All of that was what held us back from joining sooner.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“You pay per tournament, as well as a fee to be part of the team,” she said, as she cheered on her son during a recent Major League Baseball-sponsored skills competition in Oakland. The teams have multiple practices a week and tournaments most weekends. “All of that was what held us back from joining sooner.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092729,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Miles Cull/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Theodore Steele follows through on his pitch at the pitching event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092729\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Theodore Steele follows through on his pitch at the pitching event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none",
"images": [],
"ids": [],
"shortCodeTransforms": [],
"imageCrop": true,
"randomOrder": false,
"fixedHeight": true,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"allowResize": false,
"aspectRatio": "auto"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092731,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092731\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A volunteer scores a ball that flew all the way to zone 3 of the outfield during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092731\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A volunteer scores a ball that flew all the way to zone 3 of the outfield during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092728,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092728\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Balls lay in wait for the next competitor at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092728\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Balls lay in wait for the next competitor at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A growing number of kids are pursuing competitive sports as young as elementary school. Since the 1980s, competitive club and travel teams have exploded into a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbaird.com/siteassets/gib/pdf/organized-sports-whitepaper.pdf\">$40 billion industry\u003c/a>, and many parents feel an enormous pressure to pay so that their kids can play. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A growing number of kids are pursuing competitive sports as young as elementary school. Since the 1980s, competitive club and travel teams have exploded into a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbaird.com/siteassets/gib/pdf/organized-sports-whitepaper.pdf\">$40 billion industry\u003c/a>, and many parents feel an enormous pressure to pay so that their kids can play. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to a \u003ca href=\"https://rais.education/wp-content/uploads/0563.pdf\">2025 report\u003c/a> by the Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, since 2010, spending on youth sports has increased more than 55%, and nearly 60% of families are financially strained by their children’s sports — while 11% reported that they planned to take on debt.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>According to a \u003ca href=\"https://rais.education/wp-content/uploads/0563.pdf\">2025 report\u003c/a> by the Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, since 2010, spending on youth sports has increased more than 55%, and nearly 60% of families are financially strained by their children’s sports — while 11% reported that they planned to take on debt.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.dataforadifference.com/ignite/pay-to-play-youth-sports-cost-bay-area-families-5610\">\u003cem>Data for a Difference\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>,\u003c/em> on average, Bay Area families spend nearly $2,000 annually for one child to play one club sport.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.dataforadifference.com/ignite/pay-to-play-youth-sports-cost-bay-area-families-5610\">\u003cem>Data for a Difference\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>,\u003c/em> on average, Bay Area families spend nearly $2,000 annually for one child to play one club sport.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Prinzing ultimately signed up her son for Future Stars Baseball, which \u003ca href=\"https://futurestarbaseball.com/travel-ball/\">charges\u003c/a> a $600 team fee for the upcoming fall season. Every tournament players attend costs another $125, and extra intramural games are $35 a piece. Plus, families are expected to buy uniforms, priced at $125 a year, along with gear, such as cleats, gloves and bats.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Prinzing ultimately signed up her son for Future Stars Baseball, which \u003ca href=\"https://futurestarbaseball.com/travel-ball/\">charges\u003c/a> a $600 team fee for the upcoming fall season. Every tournament players attend costs another $125, and extra intramural games are $35 a piece. Plus, families are expected to buy uniforms, priced at $125 a year, along with gear, such as cleats, gloves and bats.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People want to do the best things they can for the kids, so when opportunities come up to play baseball, parents are willing to pay,” said Joe Oh, co-founder of the Oakland Baseball Foundation, a nonprofit that runs baseball travel teams and camps. The organization is part of a growing movement attempting to keep costs lower than similar teams. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“People want to do the best things they can for the kids, so when opportunities come up to play baseball, parents are willing to pay,” said Joe Oh, co-founder of the Oakland Baseball Foundation, a nonprofit that runs baseball travel teams and camps. The organization is part of a growing movement attempting to keep costs lower than similar teams. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "A changing youth sports landscape",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A changing youth sports landscape\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A changing youth sports landscape\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>These efforts aim to counterbalance the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOeQQ019aA\">rise in private equity firms\u003c/a> that invest in sports complexes and teams — raising costs for families along the way.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>These efforts aim to counterbalance the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOeQQ019aA\">rise in private equity firms\u003c/a> that invest in sports complexes and teams — raising costs for families along the way.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2024, Josh Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, a chairman at Blackstone and owner of multiple professional sports teams, launched a youth athletics holding company called Unrivaled Sports that owns sports camps, leagues and venues. They started with a portfolio of 12 facilities and now have 15. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2024, Josh Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, a chairman at Blackstone and owner of multiple professional sports teams, launched a youth athletics holding company called Unrivaled Sports that owns sports camps, leagues and venues. They started with a portfolio of 12 facilities and now have 15. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092876,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Miles Cull/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092876\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Orion Mitchell swings for the fences at the hitting station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition on July 23, 2026, at Bushrod Park in Oakland.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092876\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Orion Mitchell swings for the fences at the hitting station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition on July 23, 2026, at Bushrod Park in Oakland.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2025, they acquired the \u003ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unrivaled-sports-announces-long-term-investment-in-twin-creeks-sports-complex-302636796.html\">Twin Creeks Sports Complex\u003c/a> in Sunnyvale and Big League Dreams in Manteca.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2025, they acquired the \u003ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unrivaled-sports-announces-long-term-investment-in-twin-creeks-sports-complex-302636796.html\">Twin Creeks Sports Complex\u003c/a> in Sunnyvale and Big League Dreams in Manteca.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Oh said tournament fees have increased significantly at Unrivaled Sports-owned properties. The teams’ entry fee for an upcoming two-day \u003ca href=\"https://cabaseball.usssa.com/event/summer-heat-south-bay/\">Twin Creeks tournament\u003c/a> is $930 — plus a $399 gate fee that teams pay upfront to help cover spectator admission. The \u003ca href=\"https://tprbaseball.com/tournaments/item/super-labor-day-weekend?category_id=38\">tournament fee\u003c/a> for a TPR Baseball event at Mistlin Fields later this month is $855.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Oh said tournament fees have increased significantly at Unrivaled Sports-owned properties. The teams’ entry fee for an upcoming two-day \u003ca href=\"https://cabaseball.usssa.com/event/summer-heat-south-bay/\">Twin Creeks tournament\u003c/a> is $930 — plus a $399 gate fee that teams pay upfront to help cover spectator admission. The \u003ca href=\"https://tprbaseball.com/tournaments/item/super-labor-day-weekend?category_id=38\">tournament fee\u003c/a> for a TPR Baseball event at Mistlin Fields later this month is $855.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“What the private equity firms realized was, ‘There’s an opportunity to capitalize on the fields, the uniforms, the equipment, the coaching — all the opportunities that come along with this,’” Oh said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“What the private equity firms realized was, ‘There’s an opportunity to capitalize on the fields, the uniforms, the equipment, the coaching — all the opportunities that come along with this,’” Oh said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "‘We don’t have thousands to spare’",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>‘We don’t have thousands to spare’\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>‘We don’t have thousands to spare’\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The percentage of children who participate in organized youth sports is significantly correlated with household income, according to the Aspen Institute’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/introduction\">State of Play survey\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The percentage of children who participate in organized youth sports is significantly correlated with household income, according to the Aspen Institute’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/introduction\">State of Play survey\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2023, about 37% of kids in households with incomes below the national poverty level participated in \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/participation-trends#5\">organized youth sports\u003c/a>, compared to about 73% of kids in households whose income was four times the national poverty level. The data found that children from homes earning $100,000 or more are twice as likely to play travel sports than those in homes making under $50,000.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In 2023, about 37% of kids in households with incomes below the national poverty level participated in \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/participation-trends#5\">organized youth sports\u003c/a>, compared to about 73% of kids in households whose income was four times the national poverty level. The data found that children from homes earning $100,000 or more are twice as likely to play travel sports than those in homes making under $50,000.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092727,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Miles Cull/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-1536x1061.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092727\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-1536x1061.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division wait their turn at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092727\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division wait their turn at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none",
"images": [],
"ids": [],
"shortCodeTransforms": [],
"imageCrop": true,
"randomOrder": false,
"fixedHeight": true,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"allowResize": false,
"aspectRatio": "auto"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092730,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092730\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matteo Mendoza returns with a ball as Kenny Lofton III watches on at warmups during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092730\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matteo Mendoza returns with a ball as Kenny Lofton III watches on at warmups during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092725,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092725\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division listen to Ryland Henke as he lays down the rules of the event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092725\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division listen to Ryland Henke as he lays down the rules of the event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Homero Espinosa, a board member for the Oakland Baseball Foundation, said that while not joining a club team doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid won’t play their sport at a high level, it does put them at a disadvantage.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Homero Espinosa, a board member for the Oakland Baseball Foundation, said that while not joining a club team doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid won’t play their sport at a high level, it does put them at a disadvantage.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Kids who have access to the travel ball teams, who are playing a lot more baseball a lot more competitively, obviously are going to have a leg up,” he said. “It’s expensive, it limits access, but that’s how you get to start playing more and more competitively.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Kids who have access to the travel ball teams, who are playing a lot more baseball a lot more competitively, obviously are going to have a leg up,” he said. “It’s expensive, it limits access, but that’s how you get to start playing more and more competitively.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are low-cost and low-commitment options. Many elementary and middle schools have various team sports, and seasonal Little League, Pop Warner Football and AYSO soccer remain popular.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There are low-cost and low-commitment options. Many elementary and middle schools have various team sports, and seasonal Little League, Pop Warner Football and AYSO soccer remain popular.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12094257"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2030/05/018_KQED_EachOneTeachOneChildCare_04262023.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s accessible. It’s a good entry point for beginner kids,” Espinosa said. “But for the kids who want to compete and want to further their opportunities, [that] is where the travel ball teams come into play.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“That’s accessible. It’s a good entry point for beginner kids,” Espinosa said. “But for the kids who want to compete and want to further their opportunities, [that] is where the travel ball teams come into play.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Emmalene Maile’s son has played in San Lorenzo’s Little League, which costs about $250 a season, for a few years. He loves baseball, but Maile said her family hasn’t considered travel ball yet. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Emmalene Maile’s son has played in San Lorenzo’s Little League, which costs about $250 a season, for a few years. He loves baseball, but Maile said her family hasn’t considered travel ball yet. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I heard it was a lot of money from another parent,” she said. “She did say that there was a payment plan, but like thousands of dollars. We don’t have thousands of dollars to spare.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I heard it was a lot of money from another parent,” she said. “She did say that there was a payment plan, but like thousands of dollars. We don’t have thousands of dollars to spare.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>She said her son has asked about playing travel ball, but he hasn’t pushed for it yet. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>She said her son has asked about playing travel ball, but he hasn’t pushed for it yet. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I know for sure as he gets older he’s definitely going to want to play,” Maile said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I know for sure as he gets older he’s definitely going to want to play,” Maile said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’d do our best to save up for it,” she said. “Hopefully we would be able to afford it. It is a big expense.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’d do our best to save up for it,” she said. “Hopefully we would be able to afford it. It is a big expense.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Expanding access",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding access\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding access\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Oh said travel ball is marketed to parents as essential if they want their kid to play at collegiate level. He said that’s not always the case, but “what was evident to us is that we are diminishing the number of kids who have the opportunity to at least even try.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Oh said travel ball is marketed to parents as essential if they want their kid to play at collegiate level. He said that’s not always the case, but “what was evident to us is that we are diminishing the number of kids who have the opportunity to at least even try.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The point of this organization is to create as much opportunity as possible, and then let the kids decide if they want to play,” Oh said. “Let us create an infrastructure where anyone who wants to play and shows the willingness to want to learn [can] be trained under high-level coaches.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The point of this organization is to create as much opportunity as possible, and then let the kids decide if they want to play,” Oh said. “Let us create an infrastructure where anyone who wants to play and shows the willingness to want to learn [can] be trained under high-level coaches.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the case of Oakland Baseball Foundation, its estimated costs are about $5,000 a year, compared with between $10,000 and $15,000 for some teams. A quarter of Foundation players receive scholarships, and they put profits into restoring city fields, like the one at Bushrod Park, where they hosted the recent MLB event.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the case of Oakland Baseball Foundation, its estimated costs are about $5,000 a year, compared with between $10,000 and $15,000 for some teams. A quarter of Foundation players receive scholarships, and they put profits into restoring city fields, like the one at Bushrod Park, where they hosted the recent MLB event.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092726,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Miles Cull/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-1536x1064.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-1536x1064.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthias Hicks prepares his throw at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092726\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthias Hicks prepares his throw at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other organizations, like the Volo Kids Foundation, aim to fill similar gaps outside of the competitive arena.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Other organizations, like the Volo Kids Foundation, aim to fill similar gaps outside of the competitive arena.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Becca Beltramo has registered her foster daughter for the organization’s free six-week sports programs consistently over the last year. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Becca Beltramo has registered her foster daughter for the organization’s free six-week sports programs consistently over the last year. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m a single parent, so when looking online at the different leagues or the different opportunities for her, it’s a big cost for us and our family,” she said. “I’m on a single income, and it’s hard to make all those things happen for her, but I don’t want to limit her possibilities because of our finances.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I’m a single parent, so when looking online at the different leagues or the different opportunities for her, it’s a big cost for us and our family,” she said. “I’m on a single income, and it’s hard to make all those things happen for her, but I don’t want to limit her possibilities because of our finances.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Beltramo’s foster daughter has played Volo soccer over the last year. The once-a-week programming includes a warmup, focused skills work and a scrimmage or a structured activity. They also provide T-shirts and the equipment required for the specific sport. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Beltramo’s foster daughter has played Volo soccer over the last year. The once-a-week programming includes a warmup, focused skills work and a scrimmage or a structured activity. They also provide T-shirts and the equipment required for the specific sport. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Volo is a great middle ground for us,” Beltramo said. She said for now, club sports “come with a lot of hidden costs, I’ve found out, that I’m not sure that our family is ready to take on.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Volo is a great middle ground for us,” Beltramo said. She said for now, club sports “come with a lot of hidden costs, I’ve found out, that I’m not sure that our family is ready to take on.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Families are willing to take on debt so their kids can develop in expensive club teams. Those who can’t afford it worry their children could be left behind.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787160521,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 37,
"wordCount": 1753
},
"headData": {
"title": "Is Your Kid Maybe a Baseball Prodigy? That’ll Cost Thousands of Dollars | KQED",
"description": "Families are willing to take on debt so their kids can develop in expensive club teams. Those who can’t afford it worry their children could be left behind.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Is Your Kid Maybe a Baseball Prodigy? That’ll Cost Thousands of Dollars",
"datePublished": "2026-08-19T07:00:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-19T10:28:41-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/6e7237d4-0628-42b2-af20-b4ab0115a886/audio.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12095587",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12095587/is-your-kid-maybe-a-baseball-prodigy-thatll-cost-thousands-of-dollars",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of How We Get By, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Theo Steele, 13, has been playing baseball for nearly half of his life. Like a lot of kids, he began with an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/oakland\">Oakland\u003c/a> team at the Little League level, which is meant to be recreational. Fun over foul balls. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But a year ago, he wanted to step up his game after batting two home runs during a home run derby. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s like when I thought I was actually pretty good at baseball,” Theo said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Theo’s mom, Jonna Prinzing, enjoyed the low-stakes experience. Little League isn’t a huge time commitment, and the costs can be manageable. But when Theo asked to join a travel baseball team — the next rung in the aspiring youth athlete ladder — Prinzing hesitated.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You pay per tournament, as well as a fee to be part of the team,” she said, as she cheered on her son during a recent Major League Baseball-sponsored skills competition in Oakland. The teams have multiple practices a week and tournaments most weekends. “All of that was what held us back from joining sooner.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-21-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Theodore Steele follows through on his pitch at the pitching event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092731\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092731\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-33-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A volunteer scores a ball that flew all the way to zone 3 of the outfield during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092728\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-20-MC-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Balls lay in wait for the next competitor at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A growing number of kids are pursuing competitive sports as young as elementary school. Since the 1980s, competitive club and travel teams have exploded into a \u003ca href=\"https://www.rwbaird.com/siteassets/gib/pdf/organized-sports-whitepaper.pdf\">$40 billion industry\u003c/a>, and many parents feel an enormous pressure to pay so that their kids can play. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to a \u003ca href=\"https://rais.education/wp-content/uploads/0563.pdf\">2025 report\u003c/a> by the Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, since 2010, spending on youth sports has increased more than 55%, and nearly 60% of families are financially strained by their children’s sports — while 11% reported that they planned to take on debt.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.dataforadifference.com/ignite/pay-to-play-youth-sports-cost-bay-area-families-5610\">\u003cem>Data for a Difference\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>,\u003c/em> on average, Bay Area families spend nearly $2,000 annually for one child to play one club sport.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prinzing ultimately signed up her son for Future Stars Baseball, which \u003ca href=\"https://futurestarbaseball.com/travel-ball/\">charges\u003c/a> a $600 team fee for the upcoming fall season. Every tournament players attend costs another $125, and extra intramural games are $35 a piece. Plus, families are expected to buy uniforms, priced at $125 a year, along with gear, such as cleats, gloves and bats.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People want to do the best things they can for the kids, so when opportunities come up to play baseball, parents are willing to pay,” said Joe Oh, co-founder of the Oakland Baseball Foundation, a nonprofit that runs baseball travel teams and camps. The organization is part of a growing movement attempting to keep costs lower than similar teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A changing youth sports landscape\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These efforts aim to counterbalance the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOeQQ019aA\">rise in private equity firms\u003c/a> that invest in sports complexes and teams — raising costs for families along the way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2024, Josh Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management, and David Blitzer, a chairman at Blackstone and owner of multiple professional sports teams, launched a youth athletics holding company called Unrivaled Sports that owns sports camps, leagues and venues. They started with a portfolio of 12 facilities and now have 15. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092876\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YOUTHSPORTS-25-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Orion Mitchell swings for the fences at the hitting station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition on July 23, 2026, at Bushrod Park in Oakland. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2025, they acquired the \u003ca href=\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unrivaled-sports-announces-long-term-investment-in-twin-creeks-sports-complex-302636796.html\">Twin Creeks Sports Complex\u003c/a> in Sunnyvale and Big League Dreams in Manteca.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Oh said tournament fees have increased significantly at Unrivaled Sports-owned properties. The teams’ entry fee for an upcoming two-day \u003ca href=\"https://cabaseball.usssa.com/event/summer-heat-south-bay/\">Twin Creeks tournament\u003c/a> is $930 — plus a $399 gate fee that teams pay upfront to help cover spectator admission. The \u003ca href=\"https://tprbaseball.com/tournaments/item/super-labor-day-weekend?category_id=38\">tournament fee\u003c/a> for a TPR Baseball event at Mistlin Fields later this month is $855.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What the private equity firms realized was, ‘There’s an opportunity to capitalize on the fields, the uniforms, the equipment, the coaching — all the opportunities that come along with this,’” Oh said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>‘We don’t have thousands to spare’\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The percentage of children who participate in organized youth sports is significantly correlated with household income, according to the Aspen Institute’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/introduction\">State of Play survey\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2023, about 37% of kids in households with incomes below the national poverty level participated in \u003ca href=\"https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025/participation-trends#5\">organized youth sports\u003c/a>, compared to about 73% of kids in households whose income was four times the national poverty level. The data found that children from homes earning $100,000 or more are twice as likely to play travel sports than those in homes making under $50,000.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1382\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092727\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-09-MC-KQED-1536x1061.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division wait their turn at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" data-id=\"12092730\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092730\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-30-MC-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matteo Mendoza returns with a ball as Kenny Lofton III watches on at warmups during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1323\" data-id=\"12092725\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092725\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-04-MC-KQED-1536x1016.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kids in the 7 to 8 age division listen to Ryland Henke as he lays down the rules of the event during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Homero Espinosa, a board member for the Oakland Baseball Foundation, said that while not joining a club team doesn’t necessarily mean that a kid won’t play their sport at a high level, it does put them at a disadvantage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kids who have access to the travel ball teams, who are playing a lot more baseball a lot more competitively, obviously are going to have a leg up,” he said. “It’s expensive, it limits access, but that’s how you get to start playing more and more competitively.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are low-cost and low-commitment options. Many elementary and middle schools have various team sports, and seasonal Little League, Pop Warner Football and AYSO soccer remain popular.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s accessible. It’s a good entry point for beginner kids,” Espinosa said. “But for the kids who want to compete and want to further their opportunities, [that] is where the travel ball teams come into play.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Emmalene Maile’s son has played in San Lorenzo’s Little League, which costs about $250 a season, for a few years. He loves baseball, but Maile said her family hasn’t considered travel ball yet. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I heard it was a lot of money from another parent,” she said. “She did say that there was a payment plan, but like thousands of dollars. We don’t have thousands of dollars to spare.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She said her son has asked about playing travel ball, but he hasn’t pushed for it yet. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I know for sure as he gets older he’s definitely going to want to play,” Maile said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’d do our best to save up for it,” she said. “Hopefully we would be able to afford it. It is a big expense.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding access\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Oh said travel ball is marketed to parents as essential if they want their kid to play at collegiate level. He said that’s not always the case, but “what was evident to us is that we are diminishing the number of kids who have the opportunity to at least even try.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The point of this organization is to create as much opportunity as possible, and then let the kids decide if they want to play,” Oh said. “Let us create an infrastructure where anyone who wants to play and shows the willingness to want to learn [can] be trained under high-level coaches.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the case of Oakland Baseball Foundation, its estimated costs are about $5,000 a year, compared with between $10,000 and $15,000 for some teams. A quarter of Foundation players receive scholarships, and they put profits into restoring city fields, like the one at Bushrod Park, where they hosted the recent MLB event.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1385\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/072526-YouthSports-07-MC-KQED-1536x1064.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Matthias Hicks prepares his throw at the pitching station during the Oakland Baseball Foundation MLB Pitch Hit and Run competition at Bushrod Park in Oakland on July 23, 2026. (Miles Cull/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Other organizations, like the Volo Kids Foundation, aim to fill similar gaps outside of the competitive arena.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Becca Beltramo has registered her foster daughter for the organization’s free six-week sports programs consistently over the last year. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m a single parent, so when looking online at the different leagues or the different opportunities for her, it’s a big cost for us and our family,” she said. “I’m on a single income, and it’s hard to make all those things happen for her, but I don’t want to limit her possibilities because of our finances.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Beltramo’s foster daughter has played Volo soccer over the last year. The once-a-week programming includes a warmup, focused skills work and a scrimmage or a structured activity. They also provide T-shirts and the equipment required for the specific sport. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Volo is a great middle ground for us,” Beltramo said. She said for now, club sports “come with a lot of hidden costs, I’ve found out, that I’m not sure that our family is ready to take on.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12095587/is-your-kid-maybe-a-baseball-prodigy-thatll-cost-thousands-of-dollars",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_26598",
"news_1386",
"news_36350",
"news_27626",
"news_34078",
"news_98"
],
"featImg": "news_12092732",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12095766": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12095766",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12095766",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1787081358000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center",
"title": "San Francisco to Host 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center",
"publishDate": 1787081358,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "San Francisco to Host 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>A major sports event is on its way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082963/ballhalla-rising-golden-state-valkyries-cool-off-phoenix-mercury-to-take-home-opener\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>: San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, the league announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Festivities will be held July 30 and July 31, 2027, capped on the last night by the All-Star Game at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Valkyries — a team that has surpassed high expectations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked Valkyries fans and team owner, Joe Lacob, at a \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x7Bztv1JfE\">press conference\u003c/a> at Chase Center shortly after the announcement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083064\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Golden State Valkyries play the Phoenix Mercury during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. The game marked the start of the Valkyries’ second WNBA season. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golden State has shown what can happen when you bring together a passionate fan base, a dedicated ownership group — thank you, Joe — and an organization with a clear vision and a strong commitment from local leaders who believe in the power of women’s sports,” Engelbert said. “We all know women’s sports is not easy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hot off their \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season\">victory\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings on Monday night, the violet-clad players became the first expansion team — or a newly founded franchise — to make the playoffs in each of its two seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who professed his love of the team at Tuesday’s press conference, tied the rapid rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s broader “comeback,” and said that the team has helped make the city ready to welcome visitors from around the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re a city on the rise,” Lurie said. “The confidence of the WNBA and the commissioner allowing us to host their marquee event is something that we’re going to be ready for.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the last 18 months, the region has played host to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl LX and several FIFA World Cup games. While the receipts from the World Cup are still being tallied, the Super Bowl generated more than $720 million in revenue, breaking economic records, said Zaileen Janmohamed, CEO and president of the Bay Area Host Committee, which helps the nine counties prepare for major events. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just shows what leagues and governing bodies are looking for when they’re selecting a city or a region to host an event,” Janmohamed said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The news followed last week’s announcement that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park\">2028 MLB All-Star Game\u003c/a> will be held at Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That contest takes place days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lacob, who also owns the Golden State Warriors, shouted out the franchise’s dedicated local fanbase. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Next year, we intend to show out as well as we can, and to put on a tremendous event for our city,” he said. “Our fans are incredible, and they will be ready. It should just be an enormous opportunity to show the world how great the WNBA is.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A major sports event is on its way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082963/ballhalla-rising-golden-state-valkyries-cool-off-phoenix-mercury-to-take-home-opener\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>: San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, the league announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A major sports event is on its way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082963/ballhalla-rising-golden-state-valkyries-cool-off-phoenix-mercury-to-take-home-opener\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>: San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, the league announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Festivities will be held July 30 and July 31, 2027, capped on the last night by the All-Star Game at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Valkyries — a team that has surpassed high expectations. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Festivities will be held July 30 and July 31, 2027, capped on the last night by the All-Star Game at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Valkyries — a team that has surpassed high expectations. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked Valkyries fans and team owner, Joe Lacob, at a \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x7Bztv1JfE\">press conference\u003c/a> at Chase Center shortly after the announcement. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked Valkyries fans and team owner, Joe Lacob, at a \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x7Bztv1JfE\">press conference\u003c/a> at Chase Center shortly after the announcement. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12083064,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083064\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Golden State Valkyries play the Phoenix Mercury during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. The game marked the start of the Valkyries’ second WNBA season.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083064\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Golden State Valkyries play the Phoenix Mercury during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. The game marked the start of the Valkyries’ second WNBA season.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Golden State has shown what can happen when you bring together a passionate fan base, a dedicated ownership group — thank you, Joe — and an organization with a clear vision and a strong commitment from local leaders who believe in the power of women’s sports,” Engelbert said. “We all know women’s sports is not easy.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Golden State has shown what can happen when you bring together a passionate fan base, a dedicated ownership group — thank you, Joe — and an organization with a clear vision and a strong commitment from local leaders who believe in the power of women’s sports,” Engelbert said. “We all know women’s sports is not easy.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hot off their \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season\">victory\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings on Monday night, the violet-clad players became the first expansion team — or a newly founded franchise — to make the playoffs in each of its two seasons.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hot off their \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season\">victory\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings on Monday night, the violet-clad players became the first expansion team — or a newly founded franchise — to make the playoffs in each of its two seasons.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who professed his love of the team at Tuesday’s press conference, tied the rapid rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s broader “comeback,” and said that the team has helped make the city ready to welcome visitors from around the world.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who professed his love of the team at Tuesday’s press conference, tied the rapid rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s broader “comeback,” and said that the team has helped make the city ready to welcome visitors from around the world.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re a city on the rise,” Lurie said. “The confidence of the WNBA and the commissioner allowing us to host their marquee event is something that we’re going to be ready for.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re a city on the rise,” Lurie said. “The confidence of the WNBA and the commissioner allowing us to host their marquee event is something that we’re going to be ready for.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"science_2001738"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2026/08/20260815_SFDAHLIA_GC-29-KQED-1.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Over the last 18 months, the region has played host to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl LX and several FIFA World Cup games. While the receipts from the World Cup are still being tallied, the Super Bowl generated more than $720 million in revenue, breaking economic records, said Zaileen Janmohamed, CEO and president of the Bay Area Host Committee, which helps the nine counties prepare for major events. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Over the last 18 months, the region has played host to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl LX and several FIFA World Cup games. While the receipts from the World Cup are still being tallied, the Super Bowl generated more than $720 million in revenue, breaking economic records, said Zaileen Janmohamed, CEO and president of the Bay Area Host Committee, which helps the nine counties prepare for major events. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It just shows what leagues and governing bodies are looking for when they’re selecting a city or a region to host an event,” Janmohamed said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It just shows what leagues and governing bodies are looking for when they’re selecting a city or a region to host an event,” Janmohamed said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The news followed last week’s announcement that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park\">2028 MLB All-Star Game\u003c/a> will be held at Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The news followed last week’s announcement that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park\">2028 MLB All-Star Game\u003c/a> will be held at Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That contest takes place days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That contest takes place days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lacob, who also owns the Golden State Warriors, shouted out the franchise’s dedicated local fanbase. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Lacob, who also owns the Golden State Warriors, shouted out the franchise’s dedicated local fanbase. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Next year, we intend to show out as well as we can, and to put on a tremendous event for our city,” he said. “Our fans are incredible, and they will be ready. It should just be an enormous opportunity to show the world how great the WNBA is.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Next year, we intend to show out as well as we can, and to put on a tremendous event for our city,” he said. “Our fans are incredible, and they will be ready. It should just be an enormous opportunity to show the world how great the WNBA is.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Mayor Daniel Lurie tied the astronomical rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s “comeback.”",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787160871,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 15,
"wordCount": 541
},
"headData": {
"title": "San Francisco to Host 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center | KQED",
"description": "Mayor Daniel Lurie tied the astronomical rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s “comeback.”",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "San Francisco to Host 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center",
"datePublished": "2026-08-18T12:29:18-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-19T10:34:31-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/1da503d7-ecf1-4b7b-9491-b4ab0115a883/audio.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12095766",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>A major sports event is on its way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082963/ballhalla-rising-golden-state-valkyries-cool-off-phoenix-mercury-to-take-home-opener\">Ballhalla\u003c/a>: San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, the league announced Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Festivities will be held July 30 and July 31, 2027, capped on the last night by the All-Star Game at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Valkyries — a team that has surpassed high expectations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked Valkyries fans and team owner, Joe Lacob, at a \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x7Bztv1JfE\">press conference\u003c/a> at Chase Center shortly after the announcement. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083064\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-26-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Golden State Valkyries play the Phoenix Mercury during their home opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. The game marked the start of the Valkyries’ second WNBA season. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Golden State has shown what can happen when you bring together a passionate fan base, a dedicated ownership group — thank you, Joe — and an organization with a clear vision and a strong commitment from local leaders who believe in the power of women’s sports,” Engelbert said. “We all know women’s sports is not easy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hot off their \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season\">victory\u003c/a> against the Dallas Wings on Monday night, the violet-clad players became the first expansion team — or a newly founded franchise — to make the playoffs in each of its two seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who professed his love of the team at Tuesday’s press conference, tied the rapid rise of the Golden State Valkyries to the city’s broader “comeback,” and said that the team has helped make the city ready to welcome visitors from around the world.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re a city on the rise,” Lurie said. “The confidence of the WNBA and the commissioner allowing us to host their marquee event is something that we’re going to be ready for.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the last 18 months, the region has played host to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl LX and several FIFA World Cup games. While the receipts from the World Cup are still being tallied, the Super Bowl generated more than $720 million in revenue, breaking economic records, said Zaileen Janmohamed, CEO and president of the Bay Area Host Committee, which helps the nine counties prepare for major events. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just shows what leagues and governing bodies are looking for when they’re selecting a city or a region to host an event,” Janmohamed said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The news followed last week’s announcement that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park\">2028 MLB All-Star Game\u003c/a> will be held at Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That contest takes place days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lacob, who also owns the Golden State Warriors, shouted out the franchise’s dedicated local fanbase. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Next year, we intend to show out as well as we can, and to put on a tremendous event for our city,” he said. “Our fans are incredible, and they will be ready. It should just be an enormous opportunity to show the world how great the WNBA is.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center",
"authors": [
"11925"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_18058",
"news_26589",
"news_34055",
"news_27626",
"news_34044",
"news_38",
"news_34078",
"news_33257"
],
"featImg": "news_12056526",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12095311": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12095311",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12095311",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1786727297000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park",
"title": "Major League Baseball to Hold 2028 All-Star Game at San Francisco’s Oracle Park",
"publishDate": 1786727297,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Major League Baseball to Hold 2028 All-Star Game at San Francisco’s Oracle Park | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> will host the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing yet another major sporting event to the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayor Daniel Lurie and the league announced Friday that baseball’s biggest summer showcase will be played at Oracle Park for the first time in more than 20 years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to welcome the Midsummer Classic to San Francisco, the ultimate celebration of Major League Baseball and one of our game’s greatest annual traditions,” the Giants said in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our organization, our city, and the incredible passion of our fans on baseball’s biggest summer stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1337\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12090146\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after Yastrzemski hit a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025, in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The annual contest will feature the top players in Major League Baseball on July 12, 2028 — days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether the Giants would be selected to host the year’s All-Star Game had reportedly been tied to whether MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the league has not allowed its stars to compete in the Olympics due to concerns about disrupting a packed summer schedule and injury risk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sf-frontrunner-2028-all-star-game-mlb-opts-la-20770751.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> reported in July that MLB was considering the West Coast stadium so that its players could more easily travel to and from Los Angeles for the summer games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Friday’s decision comes before any official call on MLB’s Olympic participation, but it seems to point to the league trying to make the schedule possible. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This will be the second All-Star Game at Oracle Park and the fourth the Giants have hosted in San Francisco. Both the 1961 and 1984 games were held at Candlestick Park. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the main event, Oracle Park will host the All-Star Futures Game, featuring top minor league players, and the Home Run Derby. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With its passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history, San Francisco will be an outstanding host for All-Star Week, which culminates in one of Major League Baseball’s best traditions, the Midsummer Classic,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing the excitement of All-Star Week and the celebration of baseball to the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> will host the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing yet another major sporting event to the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> will host the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing yet another major sporting event to the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Mayor Daniel Lurie and the league announced Friday that baseball’s biggest summer showcase will be played at Oracle Park for the first time in more than 20 years.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Mayor Daniel Lurie and the league announced Friday that baseball’s biggest summer showcase will be played at Oracle Park for the first time in more than 20 years.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to welcome the Midsummer Classic to San Francisco, the ultimate celebration of Major League Baseball and one of our game’s greatest annual traditions,” the Giants said in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our organization, our city, and the incredible passion of our fans on baseball’s biggest summer stage.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to welcome the Midsummer Classic to San Francisco, the ultimate celebration of Major League Baseball and one of our game’s greatest annual traditions,” the Giants said in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our organization, our city, and the incredible passion of our fans on baseball’s biggest summer stage.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12090146,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-1536x1037.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12090146\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after Yastrzemski hit a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025, in San Francisco, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12090146\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after Yastrzemski hit a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025, in San Francisco, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The annual contest will feature the top players in Major League Baseball on July 12, 2028 — days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The annual contest will feature the top players in Major League Baseball on July 12, 2028 — days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Whether the Giants would be selected to host the year’s All-Star Game had reportedly been tied to whether MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 games.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Whether the Giants would be selected to host the year’s All-Star Game had reportedly been tied to whether MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 games.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Historically, the league has not allowed its stars to compete in the Olympics due to concerns about disrupting a packed summer schedule and injury risk. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Historically, the league has not allowed its stars to compete in the Olympics due to concerns about disrupting a packed summer schedule and injury risk. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12094592"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/20260805_RichmondPlungeDay2_GC-4.jpg",
"query": "",
"labelWasCleared": false,
"heroImageAlt": "",
"heroImageLink": "",
"labelLink": "",
"alignment": "right",
"target": "_self",
"manualLinks": [],
"posts": []
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sf-frontrunner-2028-all-star-game-mlb-opts-la-20770751.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> reported in July that MLB was considering the West Coast stadium so that its players could more easily travel to and from Los Angeles for the summer games. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sf-frontrunner-2028-all-star-game-mlb-opts-la-20770751.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> reported in July that MLB was considering the West Coast stadium so that its players could more easily travel to and from Los Angeles for the summer games. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Friday’s decision comes before any official call on MLB’s Olympic participation, but it seems to point to the league trying to make the schedule possible. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Friday’s decision comes before any official call on MLB’s Olympic participation, but it seems to point to the league trying to make the schedule possible. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This will be the second All-Star Game at Oracle Park and the fourth the Giants have hosted in San Francisco. Both the 1961 and 1984 games were held at Candlestick Park. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This will be the second All-Star Game at Oracle Park and the fourth the Giants have hosted in San Francisco. Both the 1961 and 1984 games were held at Candlestick Park. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to the main event, Oracle Park will host the All-Star Futures Game, featuring top minor league players, and the Home Run Derby. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition to the main event, Oracle Park will host the All-Star Futures Game, featuring top minor league players, and the Home Run Derby. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“With its passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history, San Francisco will be an outstanding host for All-Star Week, which culminates in one of Major League Baseball’s best traditions, the Midsummer Classic,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing the excitement of All-Star Week and the celebration of baseball to the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“With its passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history, San Francisco will be an outstanding host for All-Star Week, which culminates in one of Major League Baseball’s best traditions, the Midsummer Classic,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing the excitement of All-Star Week and the celebration of baseball to the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The game will bring baseball’s biggest stars to the Bay Area, days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1786730531,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 13,
"wordCount": 452
},
"headData": {
"title": "Major League Baseball to Hold 2028 All-Star Game at San Francisco’s Oracle Park | KQED",
"description": "The game will bring baseball’s biggest stars to the Bay Area, days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Major League Baseball to Hold 2028 All-Star Game at San Francisco’s Oracle Park",
"datePublished": "2026-08-14T10:08:17-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-14T11:02:11-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12095311",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco-giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> will host the 2028 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, bringing yet another major sporting event to the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayor Daniel Lurie and the league announced Friday that baseball’s biggest summer showcase will be played at Oracle Park for the first time in more than 20 years.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re thrilled to welcome the Midsummer Classic to San Francisco, the ultimate celebration of Major League Baseball and one of our game’s greatest annual traditions,” the Giants said in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our organization, our city, and the incredible passion of our fans on baseball’s biggest summer stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1337\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12090146\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/GettyImages-2208881091-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after Yastrzemski hit a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on April 6, 2025, in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The annual contest will feature the top players in Major League Baseball on July 12, 2028 — days before the 2028 Summer Olympics open in Los Angeles, where baseball returns for the first time since 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether the Giants would be selected to host the year’s All-Star Game had reportedly been tied to whether MLB players would be allowed to participate in the 2028 games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the league has not allowed its stars to compete in the Olympics due to concerns about disrupting a packed summer schedule and injury risk. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/giants/article/sf-frontrunner-2028-all-star-game-mlb-opts-la-20770751.php\">\u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>\u003c/a> reported in July that MLB was considering the West Coast stadium so that its players could more easily travel to and from Los Angeles for the summer games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Friday’s decision comes before any official call on MLB’s Olympic participation, but it seems to point to the league trying to make the schedule possible. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This will be the second All-Star Game at Oracle Park and the fourth the Giants have hosted in San Francisco. Both the 1961 and 1984 games were held at Candlestick Park. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the main event, Oracle Park will host the All-Star Futures Game, featuring top minor league players, and the Home Run Derby. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With its passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history, San Francisco will be an outstanding host for All-Star Week, which culminates in one of Major League Baseball’s best traditions, the Midsummer Classic,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing the excitement of All-Star Week and the celebration of baseball to the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12095311/major-league-baseball-to-hold-2028-all-star-game-at-san-franciscos-oracle-park",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_18203",
"news_34055",
"news_27",
"news_2540",
"news_23464",
"news_38",
"news_34078"
],
"featImg": "news_12095314",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12092910": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12092910",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12092910",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1785272343000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "sonoma-state-to-relaunch-athletics-in-fall-2027-after-massive-cuts",
"title": "Sonoma State to Relaunch Athletics in Fall 2027 After Massive Cuts",
"publishDate": 1785272343,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Sonoma State to Relaunch Athletics in Fall 2027 After Massive Cuts | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Sonoma State University will reinstate most of its intercollegiate sports teams in 2027, less than two years after campus administrators \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023598/sonoma-state-is-eliminating-athletics-slashing-several-degree-programs-to-cut-budget\">gutted the athletics program\u003c/a> amid a major budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The school announced Monday that it will restore 10 NCAA Division II teams next fall. The teams will include men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball and golf, and women’s softball and volleyball, while baseball won’t return.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Reinstating Seawolf athletics demonstrates a meaningful commitment to current and future students, the campus community, alumni and our athletic and philanthropic partners in the North Bay and beyond,” Sonoma State’s Interim Athletics Director Joan McDermott said in a statement. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete again in the [California Collegiate Athletic Association] and to represent our community.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In January 2025, Sonoma State announced it would eliminate its entire athletic department, slash more than 20 degree programs and lay off dozens of faculty at the end of that year to eliminate a nearly $24 million budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024036\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The soccer fields at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. Sonoma State is cutting its entire Athletic Department, eliminating majors and laying off faculty to address a budget deficit. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The school has said the major cuts were part of a larger reimagining of university operations amid enrollment decline and funding losses. At the time, then-interim President Emily Cutrer said that the school was looking to invest in “career-focused” paths, including growing its nursing and health science programs, and attract more local students.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The move \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023999/sonoma-state-players-coaches-blindsided-by-elimination-of-ncaa-athletics\">blindsided student-athletes\u003c/a> and coaching staff, and left many scrambling to find spots in other schools’ programs before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Within weeks, there were massive campus-wide protests over the slate of cuts, and coaches and athletes launched the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">Save Seawolves Athletics\u003c/a>” movement in an attempt to stop the elimination of sports.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The campaign filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">federal civil rights complaint\u003c/a> with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that eliminating athletics would have a disproportionate effect on underrepresented students and students of color. In March, seven student-athletes filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12036250/sonoma-states-deep-cuts-are-paused-by-judge-leaving-students-and-faculty-in-limbo\">lawsuit against SSU\u003c/a> and its leaders alleging that the rollout also violated California State University policy on discontinuing academic programs. Their suit is ongoing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In January, Sonoma State’s new president, Michael Spagna, announced that he would form an Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team to evaluate whether it would be possible to sustain athletics long term. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a letter to the campus community on Monday, Spagna said that the group recommended establishing 10 athletic programs, the minimum number of teams required for NCAA and CCAA Division II membership, after five months of discussion. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The program will be funded by a combination of student fees, tuition revenue from new student-athletes, and state funding, among other sources. The California Legislature’s 2025 budget allocated a one-time $45 million investment to the campus “to support a long-term turnaround plan,” according to \u003ca href=\"https://ebudget.ca.gov/2025-26/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf\">budget documents\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Former coaches praised the school’s decision to bring back the majority of their teams — even amid discontent over the process.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been quite frustrating because it should never have gone away,” said Benjamin Ziemer, who was on the men’s soccer coaching staff for 10 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He said that the cuts were a result of “incredible mismanagement,” as the school cycled through five interim and short-lived university presidents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They brought in a series of people that failed the school, and they embarked to change the makeup of the school. And unfortunately, they got it really wrong,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1306\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024027\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1020x666.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1920x1254.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students walk on campus at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Spagna replaced Cutrer in January, and the school brought in McDermott in April.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ziemer, a soccer manager who has coached internationally, said despite the frustration, he hopes to help rebuild the soccer program — a bittersweet opportunity after his brother Marcus, who led the men’s team for 35 years and spearheaded efforts to save the program last year, passed away in a scootering accident in March. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I watched Marcus play at Sonoma State and a bunch of the alumni when I was a young boy, and then I played there, and then I coached there for 10 years with Marcus,” Ziemer said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s a part of our family, and I would love to assist the soccer program to come back as strong as it was before,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ziemer said he’s already heard from former players interested in returning to the school for their final season or a fifth year of eligibility if they’re able, and believes there are plenty of players to rebuild the teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One hurdle, he said, will be reestablishing trust with athletes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Will they assure people that this isn’t going to happen again?” Ziemer said. “Because if you’re somebody that’s looking to go to school for four or five years and play sports and it’s uncertain how long [the programs will run] or if they’re going to be messed with again, that could be a challenge for recruiting.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Val Verhunce, who was the head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams since their launches in 2003 and 2007, said he plans to reapply for his former role.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think the thing that’s exciting is that whatever I did in 2003, I think I can do better now, restarting,” he said. “I’m really excited, if that opportunity presents itself, that I could do a much better job.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Verhunce said the alumni he’s heard from since Monday’s announcement are excited to root for the Seawolves again.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All those athletes that I’ve coached, for all of our teams, not just golf, they’ll all have a place in history at Sonoma State,” he said. “It hasn’t been erased.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Sonoma State University will reinstate most of its intercollegiate sports teams in 2027, less than two years after campus administrators \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023598/sonoma-state-is-eliminating-athletics-slashing-several-degree-programs-to-cut-budget\">gutted the athletics program\u003c/a> amid a major budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Sonoma State University will reinstate most of its intercollegiate sports teams in 2027, less than two years after campus administrators \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023598/sonoma-state-is-eliminating-athletics-slashing-several-degree-programs-to-cut-budget\">gutted the athletics program\u003c/a> amid a major budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The school announced Monday that it will restore 10 NCAA Division II teams next fall. The teams will include men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball and golf, and women’s softball and volleyball, while baseball won’t return.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The school announced Monday that it will restore 10 NCAA Division II teams next fall. The teams will include men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball and golf, and women’s softball and volleyball, while baseball won’t return.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Reinstating Seawolf athletics demonstrates a meaningful commitment to current and future students, the campus community, alumni and our athletic and philanthropic partners in the North Bay and beyond,” Sonoma State’s Interim Athletics Director Joan McDermott said in a statement. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete again in the [California Collegiate Athletic Association] and to represent our community.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Reinstating Seawolf athletics demonstrates a meaningful commitment to current and future students, the campus community, alumni and our athletic and philanthropic partners in the North Bay and beyond,” Sonoma State’s Interim Athletics Director Joan McDermott said in a statement. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete again in the [California Collegiate Athletic Association] and to represent our community.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In January 2025, Sonoma State announced it would eliminate its entire athletic department, slash more than 20 degree programs and lay off dozens of faculty at the end of that year to eliminate a nearly $24 million budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In January 2025, Sonoma State announced it would eliminate its entire athletic department, slash more than 20 degree programs and lay off dozens of faculty at the end of that year to eliminate a nearly $24 million budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12024036,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Gina Castro/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024036\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The soccer fields at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. Sonoma State is cutting its entire Athletic Department, eliminating majors and laying off faculty to address a budget deficit.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024036\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The soccer fields at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. Sonoma State is cutting its entire Athletic Department, eliminating majors and laying off faculty to address a budget deficit.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The school has said the major cuts were part of a larger reimagining of university operations amid enrollment decline and funding losses. At the time, then-interim President Emily Cutrer said that the school was looking to invest in “career-focused” paths, including growing its nursing and health science programs, and attract more local students.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The school has said the major cuts were part of a larger reimagining of university operations amid enrollment decline and funding losses. At the time, then-interim President Emily Cutrer said that the school was looking to invest in “career-focused” paths, including growing its nursing and health science programs, and attract more local students.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The move \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023999/sonoma-state-players-coaches-blindsided-by-elimination-of-ncaa-athletics\">blindsided student-athletes\u003c/a> and coaching staff, and left many scrambling to find spots in other schools’ programs before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Within weeks, there were massive campus-wide protests over the slate of cuts, and coaches and athletes launched the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">Save Seawolves Athletics\u003c/a>” movement in an attempt to stop the elimination of sports.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The move \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023999/sonoma-state-players-coaches-blindsided-by-elimination-of-ncaa-athletics\">blindsided student-athletes\u003c/a> and coaching staff, and left many scrambling to find spots in other schools’ programs before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Within weeks, there were massive campus-wide protests over the slate of cuts, and coaches and athletes launched the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">Save Seawolves Athletics\u003c/a>” movement in an attempt to stop the elimination of sports.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The campaign filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">federal civil rights complaint\u003c/a> with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that eliminating athletics would have a disproportionate effect on underrepresented students and students of color. In March, seven student-athletes filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12036250/sonoma-states-deep-cuts-are-paused-by-judge-leaving-students-and-faculty-in-limbo\">lawsuit against SSU\u003c/a> and its leaders alleging that the rollout also violated California State University policy on discontinuing academic programs. Their suit is ongoing.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The campaign filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">federal civil rights complaint\u003c/a> with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that eliminating athletics would have a disproportionate effect on underrepresented students and students of color. In March, seven student-athletes filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12036250/sonoma-states-deep-cuts-are-paused-by-judge-leaving-students-and-faculty-in-limbo\">lawsuit against SSU\u003c/a> and its leaders alleging that the rollout also violated California State University policy on discontinuing academic programs. Their suit is ongoing.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12025961"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250130_SSUTownHall_GC-41.jpg"
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In January, Sonoma State’s new president, Michael Spagna, announced that he would form an Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team to evaluate whether it would be possible to sustain athletics long term. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In January, Sonoma State’s new president, Michael Spagna, announced that he would form an Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team to evaluate whether it would be possible to sustain athletics long term. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In a letter to the campus community on Monday, Spagna said that the group recommended establishing 10 athletic programs, the minimum number of teams required for NCAA and CCAA Division II membership, after five months of discussion. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In a letter to the campus community on Monday, Spagna said that the group recommended establishing 10 athletic programs, the minimum number of teams required for NCAA and CCAA Division II membership, after five months of discussion. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The program will be funded by a combination of student fees, tuition revenue from new student-athletes, and state funding, among other sources. The California Legislature’s 2025 budget allocated a one-time $45 million investment to the campus “to support a long-term turnaround plan,” according to \u003ca href=\"https://ebudget.ca.gov/2025-26/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf\">budget documents\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The program will be funded by a combination of student fees, tuition revenue from new student-athletes, and state funding, among other sources. The California Legislature’s 2025 budget allocated a one-time $45 million investment to the campus “to support a long-term turnaround plan,” according to \u003ca href=\"https://ebudget.ca.gov/2025-26/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf\">budget documents\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Former coaches praised the school’s decision to bring back the majority of their teams — even amid discontent over the process.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Former coaches praised the school’s decision to bring back the majority of their teams — even amid discontent over the process.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s been quite frustrating because it should never have gone away,” said Benjamin Ziemer, who was on the men’s soccer coaching staff for 10 years. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s been quite frustrating because it should never have gone away,” said Benjamin Ziemer, who was on the men’s soccer coaching staff for 10 years. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He said that the cuts were a result of “incredible mismanagement,” as the school cycled through five interim and short-lived university presidents. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He said that the cuts were a result of “incredible mismanagement,” as the school cycled through five interim and short-lived university presidents. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“They brought in a series of people that failed the school, and they embarked to change the makeup of the school. And unfortunately, they got it really wrong,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“They brought in a series of people that failed the school, and they embarked to change the makeup of the school. And unfortunately, they got it really wrong,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12024027,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Gina Castro/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1020x666.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1920x1254.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024027\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1020x666.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1920x1254.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students walk on campus at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024027\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students walk on campus at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Spagna replaced Cutrer in January, and the school brought in McDermott in April.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Spagna replaced Cutrer in January, and the school brought in McDermott in April.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ziemer, a soccer manager who has coached internationally, said despite the frustration, he hopes to help rebuild the soccer program — a bittersweet opportunity after his brother Marcus, who led the men’s team for 35 years and spearheaded efforts to save the program last year, passed away in a scootering accident in March. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ziemer, a soccer manager who has coached internationally, said despite the frustration, he hopes to help rebuild the soccer program — a bittersweet opportunity after his brother Marcus, who led the men’s team for 35 years and spearheaded efforts to save the program last year, passed away in a scootering accident in March. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I watched Marcus play at Sonoma State and a bunch of the alumni when I was a young boy, and then I played there, and then I coached there for 10 years with Marcus,” Ziemer said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I watched Marcus play at Sonoma State and a bunch of the alumni when I was a young boy, and then I played there, and then I coached there for 10 years with Marcus,” Ziemer said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s a part of our family, and I would love to assist the soccer program to come back as strong as it was before,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s a part of our family, and I would love to assist the soccer program to come back as strong as it was before,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12089920"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260717-RUSSIANJOURNALISTSEXILE-05-BL-KQED.jpg"
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ziemer said he’s already heard from former players interested in returning to the school for their final season or a fifth year of eligibility if they’re able, and believes there are plenty of players to rebuild the teams. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ziemer said he’s already heard from former players interested in returning to the school for their final season or a fifth year of eligibility if they’re able, and believes there are plenty of players to rebuild the teams. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One hurdle, he said, will be reestablishing trust with athletes.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One hurdle, he said, will be reestablishing trust with athletes.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Will they assure people that this isn’t going to happen again?” Ziemer said. “Because if you’re somebody that’s looking to go to school for four or five years and play sports and it’s uncertain how long [the programs will run] or if they’re going to be messed with again, that could be a challenge for recruiting.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Will they assure people that this isn’t going to happen again?” Ziemer said. “Because if you’re somebody that’s looking to go to school for four or five years and play sports and it’s uncertain how long [the programs will run] or if they’re going to be messed with again, that could be a challenge for recruiting.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Val Verhunce, who was the head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams since their launches in 2003 and 2007, said he plans to reapply for his former role.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Val Verhunce, who was the head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams since their launches in 2003 and 2007, said he plans to reapply for his former role.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I think the thing that’s exciting is that whatever I did in 2003, I think I can do better now, restarting,” he said. “I’m really excited, if that opportunity presents itself, that I could do a much better job.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I think the thing that’s exciting is that whatever I did in 2003, I think I can do better now, restarting,” he said. “I’m really excited, if that opportunity presents itself, that I could do a much better job.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Verhunce said the alumni he’s heard from since Monday’s announcement are excited to root for the Seawolves again.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Verhunce said the alumni he’s heard from since Monday’s announcement are excited to root for the Seawolves again.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“All those athletes that I’ve coached, for all of our teams, not just golf, they’ll all have a place in history at Sonoma State,” he said. “It hasn’t been erased.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“All those athletes that I’ve coached, for all of our teams, not just golf, they’ll all have a place in history at Sonoma State,” he said. “It hasn’t been erased.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "The school announced plans to rejoin the California Collegiate Athletic Association, after a full year without sports on campus. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1785273893,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 27,
"wordCount": 1060
},
"headData": {
"title": "Sonoma State to Relaunch Athletics in Fall 2027 After Massive Cuts | KQED",
"description": "The school announced plans to rejoin the California Collegiate Athletic Association, after a full year without sports on campus. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Sonoma State to Relaunch Athletics in Fall 2027 After Massive Cuts",
"datePublished": "2026-07-28T13:59:03-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-28T14:24:53-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 18540,
"slug": "education",
"name": "Education"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12092910",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12092910/sonoma-state-to-relaunch-athletics-in-fall-2027-after-massive-cuts",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Sonoma State University will reinstate most of its intercollegiate sports teams in 2027, less than two years after campus administrators \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023598/sonoma-state-is-eliminating-athletics-slashing-several-degree-programs-to-cut-budget\">gutted the athletics program\u003c/a> amid a major budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The school announced Monday that it will restore 10 NCAA Division II teams next fall. The teams will include men’s and women’s soccer, cross country, basketball and golf, and women’s softball and volleyball, while baseball won’t return.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Reinstating Seawolf athletics demonstrates a meaningful commitment to current and future students, the campus community, alumni and our athletic and philanthropic partners in the North Bay and beyond,” Sonoma State’s Interim Athletics Director Joan McDermott said in a statement. “We are excited about the opportunity to compete again in the [California Collegiate Athletic Association] and to represent our community.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In January 2025, Sonoma State announced it would eliminate its entire athletic department, slash more than 20 degree programs and lay off dozens of faculty at the end of that year to eliminate a nearly $24 million budget deficit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024036\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-52-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The soccer fields at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. Sonoma State is cutting its entire Athletic Department, eliminating majors and laying off faculty to address a budget deficit. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The school has said the major cuts were part of a larger reimagining of university operations amid enrollment decline and funding losses. At the time, then-interim President Emily Cutrer said that the school was looking to invest in “career-focused” paths, including growing its nursing and health science programs, and attract more local students.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The move \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12023999/sonoma-state-players-coaches-blindsided-by-elimination-of-ncaa-athletics\">blindsided student-athletes\u003c/a> and coaching staff, and left many scrambling to find spots in other schools’ programs before the start of the 2025-26 academic year. Within weeks, there were massive campus-wide protests over the slate of cuts, and coaches and athletes launched the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">Save Seawolves Athletics\u003c/a>” movement in an attempt to stop the elimination of sports.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The campaign filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12024188/sonoma-state-plans-to-cut-all-athletics-coaches-athletes-fighting-back\">federal civil rights complaint\u003c/a> with the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that eliminating athletics would have a disproportionate effect on underrepresented students and students of color. In March, seven student-athletes filed a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12036250/sonoma-states-deep-cuts-are-paused-by-judge-leaving-students-and-faculty-in-limbo\">lawsuit against SSU\u003c/a> and its leaders alleging that the rollout also violated California State University policy on discontinuing academic programs. Their suit is ongoing.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In January, Sonoma State’s new president, Michael Spagna, announced that he would form an Athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team to evaluate whether it would be possible to sustain athletics long term. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a letter to the campus community on Monday, Spagna said that the group recommended establishing 10 athletic programs, the minimum number of teams required for NCAA and CCAA Division II membership, after five months of discussion. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The program will be funded by a combination of student fees, tuition revenue from new student-athletes, and state funding, among other sources. The California Legislature’s 2025 budget allocated a one-time $45 million investment to the campus “to support a long-term turnaround plan,” according to \u003ca href=\"https://ebudget.ca.gov/2025-26/pdf/Enacted/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf\">budget documents\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Former coaches praised the school’s decision to bring back the majority of their teams — even amid discontent over the process.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been quite frustrating because it should never have gone away,” said Benjamin Ziemer, who was on the men’s soccer coaching staff for 10 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He said that the cuts were a result of “incredible mismanagement,” as the school cycled through five interim and short-lived university presidents. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They brought in a series of people that failed the school, and they embarked to change the makeup of the school. And unfortunately, they got it really wrong,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1306\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12024027\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-800x522.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1020x666.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250123_SonomaStateFile_GC-30-1920x1254.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students walk on campus at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park on Jan. 23, 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Spagna replaced Cutrer in January, and the school brought in McDermott in April.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ziemer, a soccer manager who has coached internationally, said despite the frustration, he hopes to help rebuild the soccer program — a bittersweet opportunity after his brother Marcus, who led the men’s team for 35 years and spearheaded efforts to save the program last year, passed away in a scootering accident in March. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I watched Marcus play at Sonoma State and a bunch of the alumni when I was a young boy, and then I played there, and then I coached there for 10 years with Marcus,” Ziemer said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s a part of our family, and I would love to assist the soccer program to come back as strong as it was before,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ziemer said he’s already heard from former players interested in returning to the school for their final season or a fifth year of eligibility if they’re able, and believes there are plenty of players to rebuild the teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One hurdle, he said, will be reestablishing trust with athletes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Will they assure people that this isn’t going to happen again?” Ziemer said. “Because if you’re somebody that’s looking to go to school for four or five years and play sports and it’s uncertain how long [the programs will run] or if they’re going to be messed with again, that could be a challenge for recruiting.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Val Verhunce, who was the head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams since their launches in 2003 and 2007, said he plans to reapply for his former role.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think the thing that’s exciting is that whatever I did in 2003, I think I can do better now, restarting,” he said. “I’m really excited, if that opportunity presents itself, that I could do a much better job.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Verhunce said the alumni he’s heard from since Monday’s announcement are excited to root for the Seawolves again.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All those athletes that I’ve coached, for all of our teams, not just golf, they’ll all have a place in history at Sonoma State,” he said. “It hasn’t been erased.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12092910/sonoma-state-to-relaunch-athletics-in-fall-2027-after-massive-cuts",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_18540",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_1386",
"news_36084",
"news_20013",
"news_27626",
"news_21766",
"news_34058",
"news_34078"
],
"featImg": "news_12024029",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12091408": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12091408",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12091408",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1784815200000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "maleda-where-san-joses-brightest-soccer-stars-get-started",
"title": "Maleda — Where San José’s Brightest Soccer Stars Get Started",
"publishDate": 1784815200,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Maleda — Where San José’s Brightest Soccer Stars Get Started | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Cristiano Ronaldo takes the ball and pushes toward the opponent’s goal. He keeps it close and weaves past Lionel Messi. A few steps later, Messi again — in fact, there are quite a few Messis on this field. And even \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win\">a couple of Lamine Yamals\u003c/a> running around, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s Saturday morning at Del Monte Park in San José, and hundreds of kids have come out for practice with Maleda Youth Soccer Club. Inspired by this summer’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup\u003c/a>, many wear the jerseys of their favorite players.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Siuuu!” Christian Brook, 10, shouted after practice, emulating Ronaldo’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4677663/explained-cristiano-ronaldos-siuuu-celebration\">iconic celebration\u003c/a>. His team may have lost its scrimmage, but that doesn’t dim his smile.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Brook usually plays right wing and said that’s one of the reasons he likes Ronaldo, who excels in attacking positions. But when he plays defense, Brook thinks of another player — Naomi Girma, currently center back for England’s Women’s Super League club Chelsea FC and one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40751304/uswnt-hayes-girma-best-defender-ever-seen\">most talented defenders\u003c/a> for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092276\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-160x75.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-1536x716.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2048x955.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R) Naomi Girma, #4 for the United States, celebrates after her team’s 1-0 victory against Colombia during a SheBelieves Cup match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images) A young Naomi Girma, who has played soccer competitively since she was a child growing up in San José. (U.S. Soccer via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“She played here, just like us,” he said, adding that her family is Ethiopian, just like his. Dozens of other kids at practice immediately recognized Girma’s name and shouted with pride that the soccer superstar also hails from San José.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I started playing with Maleda,” Girma — who was unavailable for an interview for this story — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13988410/naomi-girma-us-womens-soccer-star-returns-san-jose\">told KQED\u003c/a> a few months ago. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Girma’s father was one of the handful of South Bay immigrant parents who came together in 2004 to help start the club. “It was just for Ethiopian families to come together,” Girma said. “But I also had a lot of fun.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As the 2026 Men’s World Cup takes its place in history, soccer fans now prepare for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has won the tournament four times — the most of any nation — and Girma is a strong contender for the squad after a stellar performance in the last World Cup. In Maleda, families that saw her score her first goals are excited to cheer her on. And for some, Girma’s journey affirms one of the missions of the club: to help kids build a stronger sense of self through playing soccer and at the same time, learn more about their Ethiopian heritage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When our kids go to school, they are surrounded by many different cultures,” said Selome Alemayehu, the mother of two boys playing in Maleda. “But when they come here, they get the taste of Ethiopia. It’s important for them to also know where they came from, what their culture is, because they don’t see all these people Monday through Friday.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092222\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Goalkeeper Andreas Demke, 12, catches a ball as Imani Moten, 10, watches nearby during Maleda Youth Soccer practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Powered by the volunteer efforts of dozens of parents like Alemayehu, Maleda — which translates to “early morning” in Amharic — also provides an affordable entry to soccer, something experts say is necessary to help both women’s and men’s soccer in the U.S. grow stronger and develop the next generation of the sport’s superstars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to research from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, soccer is more popular than ever, with more than 25 million Americans playing the sport this year. But data from the U.S. Soccer Federation shows that among kids, participation drops dramatically by the time they become teenagers. Around 70% of children quit by age 14. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even though it’s hard for my kids to wake up for school, they’re the first ones waking up on Saturday morning,” Alemayehu said. “They rush me, instead of me rushing them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Especially my little one. He’s only 7, but he’s always saying he will be the next Maleda soccer player that’s going to be just like Naomi.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Being one’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s been more than 20 years since Maleda head coach Solomon Wolday came to California from Ethiopia, where he first fell in love with soccer as a boy, playing with other kids on his street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t take too much to get kids to get out and play,” he said. Like many of the other coaches on the field Saturday, Wolday is a volunteer and also a parent. All three of his daughters honed their soccer skills at Maleda.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Head Coach Solomon Wolday checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Children can join the club as soon as they turn 5 and learn the basics — dribbling, passes, different formations. “It’s not very competitive at that level,” Wolday said, adding that the main objective is to help kids learn about the values that come with soccer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They learn the value of hard work and teamwork,” he said. “It also shows them how to cope with losing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Maleda only practices on Saturdays from March to August and charges families a $200 registration fee per season, regardless of how many kids a family has playing in the club. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Travel and academy clubs in the Bay Area, which usually have a more rigorous practice schedule and travel across the state to play in different tournaments, often charge thousands of dollars per player each season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092225\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092225\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players put their hands together after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092223\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092223\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players sit in a circle after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The club’s accessibility helps families get and stay involved, said Meseret Gualle, who forms part of Maleda’s leadership team and first joined when her daughter started playing four years ago. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Anyone can join the team, but most families trace their roots to Ethiopia. “We Ethiopians have a lot of different ethnicities, languages, tribes,” she said. “This program brings all of that together.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area has been home to a thriving Ethiopian community for more than 40 years. Many families who first moved to the region in the ’80s and ’90s were fleeing Ethiopia’s civil war and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13905230/zeni-ethiopian-restaurant-san-jose\">found economic opportunities\u003c/a> in Silicon Valley building the electronic components for personal computers during the first dot-com boom. Thousands of Ethiopian families now help shape the identity of cities like San José and Oakland. And Meseret pointed out that it’s here in the Bay Area where Ethiopia’s vast cultural diversity meets in one place.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092221\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abigail Kume, 10, puts her arm around Imani Moten, 10, during Maleda Youth Soccer practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Outside of what region you’re from, your religion or what language you speak, Maleda focuses on our kids,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are coaches who can talk to families in the language they’re most comfortable in, including Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya. “We’re here for our heritage, culture, history and just being one,” Meseret said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What began as a community effort to provide a safe space for kids to play soccer and learn more about Ethiopian culture has become part of a bigger, cross-cultural push in the Bay Area to make soccer more accessible. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The region’s first National Women’s Soccer League team was founded in 2023 by four legends of the sport — Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner — who were either born in San José or played in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as the U.S. prepares to both host and compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/16/united-states-womens-world-cup-2031-01002399\">2031 Women’s World Cup\u003c/a>, the country is looking for new ways to boost talent that’s historically been forced out of the sport because it’s too expensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting everybody on the field\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After the U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss against Belgium, fans began debating what’s holding American soccer back from its full potential. Some \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435754/2026/07/10/pay-to-play-us-youth-soccer-usmnt-world-cup/\">pointed\u003c/a> to the very high cost of joining youth teams — called “pay-to-play.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Young talented players whose families cannot pay thousands of dollars a year are left out of competitive clubs. The price of developing young soccer talent in many Latin American and European countries is a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092220\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">6- and 7-year-old Maleda Youth Soccer players practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pay-to-play is part of the problem — but not the full picture, said Simon Tobin, head coach of men’s soccer at San José State University. “How can we make a sport that doesn’t cost a lot to play more cost-effective?” he said. “You shouldn’t have under 10s and under 11s traveling a couple hundred miles to go play a game.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But spaces to play soccer at a competitive level in the Bay Area are limited.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, when officials announced that the city’s historic Kezar Stadium will be the home field next season for the new Major League Soccer Next Pro team Golden City FC, that got \u003ca href=\"https://next.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">pushback from San Francisco City FC\u003c/a> — the oldest supporter-owned soccer club in the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco City FC fans argued their team was being pushed out from where they’ve hosted games for the past decade. Tensions over who gets access to soccer fields \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/12/27/373284989/icymi-2014-soccer-field-standoff-highlights-gentrification-tension\">come up\u003c/a> decade after decade and are likely to become even more fraught as interest in the sport grows.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, the U.S. can maintain its historic dominance of the sport by ensuring female players from low-income backgrounds have access to the sport, Tobis said, adding that if more facilities become available, there will be more opportunities for women and co-ed teams to develop across all competition levels.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The U.S. Soccer Federation has also unveiled its own plan to prevent young players from leaving the sport, which includes millions of dollars \u003ca href=\"https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/02/us-soccer-awards-3-million-to-benefit-member-organizations-through-2024-innovate-to-grow-initiative\">in grants\u003c/a> to youth leagues nationwide, training more referees and promoting the game beyond the competitive club environment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The next stage for soccer is to embrace everybody that can play. Get to those that have been put off in the past by the sheer cost of it,” Tobis said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At Del Monte Park in San José, Maleda only has two hours available on Saturdays for youth practice. Coach Semert Haile knows time is limited and keeps her players, kids ages 7 and 8, moving. She said she started playing at the same age when she was living in Ethiopia. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092219\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Club Coach Semert Haile throws a soccer ball into the air for her 6- and 7-year-old players during weekly practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And now as an adult living in San José, she’s always bringing new families into Maleda, so their kids can play soccer without blowing the budget.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s fun to play and learn with them. They have a pure heart,” she said between drills. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The blazing San José sun doesn’t slow her down. She’s been coaching for more than a decade with Maleda and remembers when Girma and her family would come to practice. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Look where Naomi is now,” she said. “I have a vision that many of these girls and boys will be even better than Naomi. That’s my hope. That’s my dream.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn\">Pendarvis Harshaw\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cristiano Ronaldo takes the ball and pushes toward the opponent’s goal. He keeps it close and weaves past Lionel Messi. A few steps later, Messi again — in fact, there are quite a few Messis on this field. And even \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win\">a couple of Lamine Yamals\u003c/a> running around, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Cristiano Ronaldo takes the ball and pushes toward the opponent’s goal. He keeps it close and weaves past Lionel Messi. A few steps later, Messi again — in fact, there are quite a few Messis on this field. And even \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win\">a couple of Lamine Yamals\u003c/a> running around, too.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s Saturday morning at Del Monte Park in San José, and hundreds of kids have come out for practice with Maleda Youth Soccer Club. Inspired by this summer’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup\u003c/a>, many wear the jerseys of their favorite players.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It’s Saturday morning at Del Monte Park in San José, and hundreds of kids have come out for practice with Maleda Youth Soccer Club. Inspired by this summer’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup\u003c/a>, many wear the jerseys of their favorite players.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Siuuu!” Christian Brook, 10, shouted after practice, emulating Ronaldo’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4677663/explained-cristiano-ronaldos-siuuu-celebration\">iconic celebration\u003c/a>. His team may have lost its scrimmage, but that doesn’t dim his smile.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Siuuu!” Christian Brook, 10, shouted after practice, emulating Ronaldo’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4677663/explained-cristiano-ronaldos-siuuu-celebration\">iconic celebration\u003c/a>. His team may have lost its scrimmage, but that doesn’t dim his smile.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Brook usually plays right wing and said that’s one of the reasons he likes Ronaldo, who excels in attacking positions. But when he plays defense, Brook thinks of another player — Naomi Girma, currently center back for England’s Women’s Super League club Chelsea FC and one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40751304/uswnt-hayes-girma-best-defender-ever-seen\">most talented defenders\u003c/a> for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Brook usually plays right wing and said that’s one of the reasons he likes Ronaldo, who excels in attacking positions. But when he plays defense, Brook thinks of another player — Naomi Girma, currently center back for England’s Women’s Super League club Chelsea FC and one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40751304/uswnt-hayes-girma-best-defender-ever-seen\">most talented defenders\u003c/a> for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092276,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-160x75.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-1536x716.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2048x955.jpg 2048w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092276\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-160x75.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-1536x716.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2048x955.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R) Naomi Girma, #4 for the United States, celebrates after her team’s 1-0 victory against Colombia during a SheBelieves Cup match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images) A young Naomi Girma, who has played soccer competitively since she was a child growing up in San José. (U.S. Soccer via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092276\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R) Naomi Girma, #4 for the United States, celebrates after her team’s 1-0 victory against Colombia during a SheBelieves Cup match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images) A young Naomi Girma, who has played soccer competitively since she was a child growing up in San José. (U.S. Soccer via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“She played here, just like us,” he said, adding that her family is Ethiopian, just like his. Dozens of other kids at practice immediately recognized Girma’s name and shouted with pride that the soccer superstar also hails from San José.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“She played here, just like us,” he said, adding that her family is Ethiopian, just like his. Dozens of other kids at practice immediately recognized Girma’s name and shouted with pride that the soccer superstar also hails from San José.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I started playing with Maleda,” Girma — who was unavailable for an interview for this story — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13988410/naomi-girma-us-womens-soccer-star-returns-san-jose\">told KQED\u003c/a> a few months ago. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I started playing with Maleda,” Girma — who was unavailable for an interview for this story — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13988410/naomi-girma-us-womens-soccer-star-returns-san-jose\">told KQED\u003c/a> a few months ago. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Girma’s father was one of the handful of South Bay immigrant parents who came together in 2004 to help start the club. “It was just for Ethiopian families to come together,” Girma said. “But I also had a lot of fun.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Girma’s father was one of the handful of South Bay immigrant parents who came together in 2004 to help start the club. “It was just for Ethiopian families to come together,” Girma said. “But I also had a lot of fun.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As the 2026 Men’s World Cup takes its place in history, soccer fans now prepare for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has won the tournament four times — the most of any nation — and Girma is a strong contender for the squad after a stellar performance in the last World Cup. In Maleda, families that saw her score her first goals are excited to cheer her on. And for some, Girma’s journey affirms one of the missions of the club: to help kids build a stronger sense of self through playing soccer and at the same time, learn more about their Ethiopian heritage.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As the 2026 Men’s World Cup takes its place in history, soccer fans now prepare for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has won the tournament four times — the most of any nation — and Girma is a strong contender for the squad after a stellar performance in the last World Cup. In Maleda, families that saw her score her first goals are excited to cheer her on. And for some, Girma’s journey affirms one of the missions of the club: to help kids build a stronger sense of self through playing soccer and at the same time, learn more about their Ethiopian heritage.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When our kids go to school, they are surrounded by many different cultures,” said Selome Alemayehu, the mother of two boys playing in Maleda. “But when they come here, they get the taste of Ethiopia. It’s important for them to also know where they came from, what their culture is, because they don’t see all these people Monday through Friday.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“When our kids go to school, they are surrounded by many different cultures,” said Selome Alemayehu, the mother of two boys playing in Maleda. “But when they come here, they get the taste of Ethiopia. It’s important for them to also know where they came from, what their culture is, because they don’t see all these people Monday through Friday.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092222,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092222\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Goalkeeper Andreas Demke, 12, catches a ball as Imani Moten, 10, watches nearby during Maleda Youth Soccer practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092222\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Goalkeeper Andreas Demke, 12, catches a ball as Imani Moten, 10, watches nearby during Maleda Youth Soccer practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Powered by the volunteer efforts of dozens of parents like Alemayehu, Maleda — which translates to “early morning” in Amharic — also provides an affordable entry to soccer, something experts say is necessary to help both women’s and men’s soccer in the U.S. grow stronger and develop the next generation of the sport’s superstars.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Powered by the volunteer efforts of dozens of parents like Alemayehu, Maleda — which translates to “early morning” in Amharic — also provides an affordable entry to soccer, something experts say is necessary to help both women’s and men’s soccer in the U.S. grow stronger and develop the next generation of the sport’s superstars.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to research from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, soccer is more popular than ever, with more than 25 million Americans playing the sport this year. But data from the U.S. Soccer Federation shows that among kids, participation drops dramatically by the time they become teenagers. Around 70% of children quit by age 14. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>According to research from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, soccer is more popular than ever, with more than 25 million Americans playing the sport this year. But data from the U.S. Soccer Federation shows that among kids, participation drops dramatically by the time they become teenagers. Around 70% of children quit by age 14. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Even though it’s hard for my kids to wake up for school, they’re the first ones waking up on Saturday morning,” Alemayehu said. “They rush me, instead of me rushing them.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Even though it’s hard for my kids to wake up for school, they’re the first ones waking up on Saturday morning,” Alemayehu said. “They rush me, instead of me rushing them.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Especially my little one. He’s only 7, but he’s always saying he will be the next Maleda soccer player that’s going to be just like Naomi.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Especially my little one. He’s only 7, but he’s always saying he will be the next Maleda soccer player that’s going to be just like Naomi.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "‘Being one’",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Being one’\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Being one’\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s been more than 20 years since Maleda head coach Solomon Wolday came to California from Ethiopia, where he first fell in love with soccer as a boy, playing with other kids on his street.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It’s been more than 20 years since Maleda head coach Solomon Wolday came to California from Ethiopia, where he first fell in love with soccer as a boy, playing with other kids on his street.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t take too much to get kids to get out and play,” he said. Like many of the other coaches on the field Saturday, Wolday is a volunteer and also a parent. All three of his daughters honed their soccer skills at Maleda.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t take too much to get kids to get out and play,” he said. Like many of the other coaches on the field Saturday, Wolday is a volunteer and also a parent. All three of his daughters honed their soccer skills at Maleda.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092224,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Head Coach Solomon Wolday checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Head Coach Solomon Wolday checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Children can join the club as soon as they turn 5 and learn the basics — dribbling, passes, different formations. “It’s not very competitive at that level,” Wolday said, adding that the main objective is to help kids learn about the values that come with soccer. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Children can join the club as soon as they turn 5 and learn the basics — dribbling, passes, different formations. “It’s not very competitive at that level,” Wolday said, adding that the main objective is to help kids learn about the values that come with soccer. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“They learn the value of hard work and teamwork,” he said. “It also shows them how to cope with losing.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“They learn the value of hard work and teamwork,” he said. “It also shows them how to cope with losing.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Maleda only practices on Saturdays from March to August and charges families a $200 registration fee per season, regardless of how many kids a family has playing in the club. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Maleda only practices on Saturdays from March to August and charges families a $200 registration fee per season, regardless of how many kids a family has playing in the club. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Travel and academy clubs in the Bay Area, which usually have a more rigorous practice schedule and travel across the state to play in different tournaments, often charge thousands of dollars per player each season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Travel and academy clubs in the Bay Area, which usually have a more rigorous practice schedule and travel across the state to play in different tournaments, often charge thousands of dollars per player each season.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092225,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092225\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players put their hands together after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092225\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players put their hands together after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092223,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092223\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players sit in a circle after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092223\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players sit in a circle after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The club’s accessibility helps families get and stay involved, said Meseret Gualle, who forms part of Maleda’s leadership team and first joined when her daughter started playing four years ago. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The club’s accessibility helps families get and stay involved, said Meseret Gualle, who forms part of Maleda’s leadership team and first joined when her daughter started playing four years ago. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Anyone can join the team, but most families trace their roots to Ethiopia. “We Ethiopians have a lot of different ethnicities, languages, tribes,” she said. “This program brings all of that together.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Anyone can join the team, but most families trace their roots to Ethiopia. “We Ethiopians have a lot of different ethnicities, languages, tribes,” she said. “This program brings all of that together.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area has been home to a thriving Ethiopian community for more than 40 years. Many families who first moved to the region in the ’80s and ’90s were fleeing Ethiopia’s civil war and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13905230/zeni-ethiopian-restaurant-san-jose\">found economic opportunities\u003c/a> in Silicon Valley building the electronic components for personal computers during the first dot-com boom. Thousands of Ethiopian families now help shape the identity of cities like San José and Oakland. And Meseret pointed out that it’s here in the Bay Area where Ethiopia’s vast cultural diversity meets in one place.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area has been home to a thriving Ethiopian community for more than 40 years. Many families who first moved to the region in the ’80s and ’90s were fleeing Ethiopia’s civil war and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13905230/zeni-ethiopian-restaurant-san-jose\">found economic opportunities\u003c/a> in Silicon Valley building the electronic components for personal computers during the first dot-com boom. Thousands of Ethiopian families now help shape the identity of cities like San José and Oakland. And Meseret pointed out that it’s here in the Bay Area where Ethiopia’s vast cultural diversity meets in one place.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092221,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092221\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abigail Kume, 10, puts her arm around Imani Moten, 10, during Maleda Youth Soccer practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092221\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abigail Kume, 10, puts her arm around Imani Moten, 10, during Maleda Youth Soccer practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Outside of what region you’re from, your religion or what language you speak, Maleda focuses on our kids,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Outside of what region you’re from, your religion or what language you speak, Maleda focuses on our kids,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are coaches who can talk to families in the language they’re most comfortable in, including Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya. “We’re here for our heritage, culture, history and just being one,” Meseret said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There are coaches who can talk to families in the language they’re most comfortable in, including Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya. “We’re here for our heritage, culture, history and just being one,” Meseret said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What began as a community effort to provide a safe space for kids to play soccer and learn more about Ethiopian culture has become part of a bigger, cross-cultural push in the Bay Area to make soccer more accessible. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>What began as a community effort to provide a safe space for kids to play soccer and learn more about Ethiopian culture has become part of a bigger, cross-cultural push in the Bay Area to make soccer more accessible. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The region’s first National Women’s Soccer League team was founded in 2023 by four legends of the sport — Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner — who were either born in San José or played in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The region’s first National Women’s Soccer League team was founded in 2023 by four legends of the sport — Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner — who were either born in San José or played in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as the U.S. prepares to both host and compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/16/united-states-womens-world-cup-2031-01002399\">2031 Women’s World Cup\u003c/a>, the country is looking for new ways to boost talent that’s historically been forced out of the sport because it’s too expensive. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And as the U.S. prepares to both host and compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/16/united-states-womens-world-cup-2031-01002399\">2031 Women’s World Cup\u003c/a>, the country is looking for new ways to boost talent that’s historically been forced out of the sport because it’s too expensive. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Getting everybody on the field",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting everybody on the field\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting everybody on the field\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After the U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss against Belgium, fans began debating what’s holding American soccer back from its full potential. Some \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435754/2026/07/10/pay-to-play-us-youth-soccer-usmnt-world-cup/\">pointed\u003c/a> to the very high cost of joining youth teams — called “pay-to-play.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>After the U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss against Belgium, fans began debating what’s holding American soccer back from its full potential. Some \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435754/2026/07/10/pay-to-play-us-youth-soccer-usmnt-world-cup/\">pointed\u003c/a> to the very high cost of joining youth teams — called “pay-to-play.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Young talented players whose families cannot pay thousands of dollars a year are left out of competitive clubs. The price of developing young soccer talent in many Latin American and European countries is a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Young talented players whose families cannot pay thousands of dollars a year are left out of competitive clubs. The price of developing young soccer talent in many Latin American and European countries is a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092220,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092220\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">6- and 7-year-old Maleda Youth Soccer players practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092220\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">6- and 7-year-old Maleda Youth Soccer players practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Pay-to-play is part of the problem — but not the full picture, said Simon Tobin, head coach of men’s soccer at San José State University. “How can we make a sport that doesn’t cost a lot to play more cost-effective?” he said. “You shouldn’t have under 10s and under 11s traveling a couple hundred miles to go play a game.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Pay-to-play is part of the problem — but not the full picture, said Simon Tobin, head coach of men’s soccer at San José State University. “How can we make a sport that doesn’t cost a lot to play more cost-effective?” he said. “You shouldn’t have under 10s and under 11s traveling a couple hundred miles to go play a game.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But spaces to play soccer at a competitive level in the Bay Area are limited.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But spaces to play soccer at a competitive level in the Bay Area are limited.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, when officials announced that the city’s historic Kezar Stadium will be the home field next season for the new Major League Soccer Next Pro team Golden City FC, that got \u003ca href=\"https://next.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">pushback from San Francisco City FC\u003c/a> — the oldest supporter-owned soccer club in the country. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, when officials announced that the city’s historic Kezar Stadium will be the home field next season for the new Major League Soccer Next Pro team Golden City FC, that got \u003ca href=\"https://next.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">pushback from San Francisco City FC\u003c/a> — the oldest supporter-owned soccer club in the country. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco City FC fans argued their team was being pushed out from where they’ve hosted games for the past decade. Tensions over who gets access to soccer fields \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/12/27/373284989/icymi-2014-soccer-field-standoff-highlights-gentrification-tension\">come up\u003c/a> decade after decade and are likely to become even more fraught as interest in the sport grows.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>San Francisco City FC fans argued their team was being pushed out from where they’ve hosted games for the past decade. Tensions over who gets access to soccer fields \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/12/27/373284989/icymi-2014-soccer-field-standoff-highlights-gentrification-tension\">come up\u003c/a> decade after decade and are likely to become even more fraught as interest in the sport grows.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed-v2/related-articles",
"attrs": {
"postIds": [
"news_12091748"
],
"label": "Related Articles",
"maxPosts": 1,
"showImages": false,
"heroImage": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260701-WORLDCUPUSALEVIS-45-BL-KQED.jpg",
"heroImageLink": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/0-1.jpg"
},
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": [],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, the U.S. can maintain its historic dominance of the sport by ensuring female players from low-income backgrounds have access to the sport, Tobis said, adding that if more facilities become available, there will be more opportunities for women and co-ed teams to develop across all competition levels.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, the U.S. can maintain its historic dominance of the sport by ensuring female players from low-income backgrounds have access to the sport, Tobis said, adding that if more facilities become available, there will be more opportunities for women and co-ed teams to develop across all competition levels.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The U.S. Soccer Federation has also unveiled its own plan to prevent young players from leaving the sport, which includes millions of dollars \u003ca href=\"https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/02/us-soccer-awards-3-million-to-benefit-member-organizations-through-2024-innovate-to-grow-initiative\">in grants\u003c/a> to youth leagues nationwide, training more referees and promoting the game beyond the competitive club environment.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The U.S. Soccer Federation has also unveiled its own plan to prevent young players from leaving the sport, which includes millions of dollars \u003ca href=\"https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/02/us-soccer-awards-3-million-to-benefit-member-organizations-through-2024-innovate-to-grow-initiative\">in grants\u003c/a> to youth leagues nationwide, training more referees and promoting the game beyond the competitive club environment.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The next stage for soccer is to embrace everybody that can play. Get to those that have been put off in the past by the sheer cost of it,” Tobis said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The next stage for soccer is to embrace everybody that can play. Get to those that have been put off in the past by the sheer cost of it,” Tobis said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At Del Monte Park in San José, Maleda only has two hours available on Saturdays for youth practice. Coach Semert Haile knows time is limited and keeps her players, kids ages 7 and 8, moving. She said she started playing at the same age when she was living in Ethiopia. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>At Del Monte Park in San José, Maleda only has two hours available on Saturdays for youth practice. Coach Semert Haile knows time is limited and keeps her players, kids ages 7 and 8, moving. She said she started playing at the same age when she was living in Ethiopia. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12092219,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Juliana Yamada/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092219\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Club Coach Semert Haile throws a soccer ball into the air for her 6- and 7-year-old players during weekly practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092219\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Club Coach Semert Haile throws a soccer ball into the air for her 6- and 7-year-old players during weekly practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And now as an adult living in San José, she’s always bringing new families into Maleda, so their kids can play soccer without blowing the budget.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And now as an adult living in San José, she’s always bringing new families into Maleda, so their kids can play soccer without blowing the budget.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s fun to play and learn with them. They have a pure heart,” she said between drills. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s fun to play and learn with them. They have a pure heart,” she said between drills. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The blazing San José sun doesn’t slow her down. She’s been coaching for more than a decade with Maleda and remembers when Girma and her family would come to practice. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The blazing San José sun doesn’t slow her down. She’s been coaching for more than a decade with Maleda and remembers when Girma and her family would come to practice. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Look where Naomi is now,” she said. “I have a vision that many of these girls and boys will be even better than Naomi. That’s my hope. That’s my dream.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Look where Naomi is now,” she said. “I have a vision that many of these girls and boys will be even better than Naomi. That’s my hope. That’s my dream.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn\">Pendarvis Harshaw\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn\">Pendarvis Harshaw\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "San José’s Ethiopian community prepares to root for local hero Naomi Girma ahead of the Women’s World Cup next year. The same club that saw her start continues making soccer affordable to families who also want a place to bring their kids closer to their heritage.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1784832778,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 44,
"wordCount": 2213
},
"headData": {
"title": "Maleda — Where San José’s Brightest Soccer Stars Get Started | KQED",
"description": "San José’s Ethiopian community prepares to root for local hero Naomi Girma ahead of the Women’s World Cup next year. The same club that saw her start continues making soccer affordable to families who also want a place to bring their kids closer to their heritage.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Maleda — Where San José’s Brightest Soccer Stars Get Started",
"datePublished": "2026-07-23T07:00:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-23T11:52:58-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12091408",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12091408/maleda-where-san-joses-brightest-soccer-stars-get-started",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Cristiano Ronaldo takes the ball and pushes toward the opponent’s goal. He keeps it close and weaves past Lionel Messi. A few steps later, Messi again — in fact, there are quite a few Messis on this field. And even \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win\">a couple of Lamine Yamals\u003c/a> running around, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s Saturday morning at Del Monte Park in San José, and hundreds of kids have come out for practice with Maleda Youth Soccer Club. Inspired by this summer’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup\u003c/a>, many wear the jerseys of their favorite players.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Siuuu!” Christian Brook, 10, shouted after practice, emulating Ronaldo’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4677663/explained-cristiano-ronaldos-siuuu-celebration\">iconic celebration\u003c/a>. His team may have lost its scrimmage, but that doesn’t dim his smile.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Brook usually plays right wing and said that’s one of the reasons he likes Ronaldo, who excels in attacking positions. But when he plays defense, Brook thinks of another player — Naomi Girma, currently center back for England’s Women’s Super League club Chelsea FC and one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40751304/uswnt-hayes-girma-best-defender-ever-seen\">most talented defenders\u003c/a> for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"933\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092276\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2000x933.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-160x75.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-1536x716.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/NaomiGirma-diptych-2048x955.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(L-R) Naomi Girma, #4 for the United States, celebrates after her team’s 1-0 victory against Colombia during a SheBelieves Cup match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on March 7, 2026, in Harrison, New Jersey. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images) A young Naomi Girma, who has played soccer competitively since she was a child growing up in San José. (U.S. Soccer via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“She played here, just like us,” he said, adding that her family is Ethiopian, just like his. Dozens of other kids at practice immediately recognized Girma’s name and shouted with pride that the soccer superstar also hails from San José.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I started playing with Maleda,” Girma — who was unavailable for an interview for this story — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13988410/naomi-girma-us-womens-soccer-star-returns-san-jose\">told KQED\u003c/a> a few months ago. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Girma’s father was one of the handful of South Bay immigrant parents who came together in 2004 to help start the club. “It was just for Ethiopian families to come together,” Girma said. “But I also had a lot of fun.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As the 2026 Men’s World Cup takes its place in history, soccer fans now prepare for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The U.S. has won the tournament four times — the most of any nation — and Girma is a strong contender for the squad after a stellar performance in the last World Cup. In Maleda, families that saw her score her first goals are excited to cheer her on. And for some, Girma’s journey affirms one of the missions of the club: to help kids build a stronger sense of self through playing soccer and at the same time, learn more about their Ethiopian heritage.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When our kids go to school, they are surrounded by many different cultures,” said Selome Alemayehu, the mother of two boys playing in Maleda. “But when they come here, they get the taste of Ethiopia. It’s important for them to also know where they came from, what their culture is, because they don’t see all these people Monday through Friday.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092222\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-09-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Goalkeeper Andreas Demke, 12, catches a ball as Imani Moten, 10, watches nearby during Maleda Youth Soccer practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Powered by the volunteer efforts of dozens of parents like Alemayehu, Maleda — which translates to “early morning” in Amharic — also provides an affordable entry to soccer, something experts say is necessary to help both women’s and men’s soccer in the U.S. grow stronger and develop the next generation of the sport’s superstars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to research from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, soccer is more popular than ever, with more than 25 million Americans playing the sport this year. But data from the U.S. Soccer Federation shows that among kids, participation drops dramatically by the time they become teenagers. Around 70% of children quit by age 14. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even though it’s hard for my kids to wake up for school, they’re the first ones waking up on Saturday morning,” Alemayehu said. “They rush me, instead of me rushing them.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Especially my little one. He’s only 7, but he’s always saying he will be the next Maleda soccer player that’s going to be just like Naomi.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Being one’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s been more than 20 years since Maleda head coach Solomon Wolday came to California from Ethiopia, where he first fell in love with soccer as a boy, playing with other kids on his street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t take too much to get kids to get out and play,” he said. Like many of the other coaches on the field Saturday, Wolday is a volunteer and also a parent. All three of his daughters honed their soccer skills at Maleda.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Head Coach Solomon Wolday checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Children can join the club as soon as they turn 5 and learn the basics — dribbling, passes, different formations. “It’s not very competitive at that level,” Wolday said, adding that the main objective is to help kids learn about the values that come with soccer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They learn the value of hard work and teamwork,” he said. “It also shows them how to cope with losing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Maleda only practices on Saturdays from March to August and charges families a $200 registration fee per season, regardless of how many kids a family has playing in the club. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Travel and academy clubs in the Bay Area, which usually have a more rigorous practice schedule and travel across the state to play in different tournaments, often charge thousands of dollars per player each season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092225\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092225\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-15-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players put their hands together after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12092223\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092223\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer players sit in a circle after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The club’s accessibility helps families get and stay involved, said Meseret Gualle, who forms part of Maleda’s leadership team and first joined when her daughter started playing four years ago. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Anyone can join the team, but most families trace their roots to Ethiopia. “We Ethiopians have a lot of different ethnicities, languages, tribes,” she said. “This program brings all of that together.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area has been home to a thriving Ethiopian community for more than 40 years. Many families who first moved to the region in the ’80s and ’90s were fleeing Ethiopia’s civil war and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13905230/zeni-ethiopian-restaurant-san-jose\">found economic opportunities\u003c/a> in Silicon Valley building the electronic components for personal computers during the first dot-com boom. Thousands of Ethiopian families now help shape the identity of cities like San José and Oakland. And Meseret pointed out that it’s here in the Bay Area where Ethiopia’s vast cultural diversity meets in one place.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092221\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-07-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abigail Kume, 10, puts her arm around Imani Moten, 10, during Maleda Youth Soccer practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Outside of what region you’re from, your religion or what language you speak, Maleda focuses on our kids,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are coaches who can talk to families in the language they’re most comfortable in, including Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya. “We’re here for our heritage, culture, history and just being one,” Meseret said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What began as a community effort to provide a safe space for kids to play soccer and learn more about Ethiopian culture has become part of a bigger, cross-cultural push in the Bay Area to make soccer more accessible. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The region’s first National Women’s Soccer League team was founded in 2023 by four legends of the sport — Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner — who were either born in San José or played in the South Bay.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as the U.S. prepares to both host and compete in the 2028 Summer Olympics and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/16/united-states-womens-world-cup-2031-01002399\">2031 Women’s World Cup\u003c/a>, the country is looking for new ways to boost talent that’s historically been forced out of the sport because it’s too expensive. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting everybody on the field\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After the U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the World Cup with a 4-1 loss against Belgium, fans began debating what’s holding American soccer back from its full potential. Some \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7435754/2026/07/10/pay-to-play-us-youth-soccer-usmnt-world-cup/\">pointed\u003c/a> to the very high cost of joining youth teams — called “pay-to-play.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Young talented players whose families cannot pay thousands of dollars a year are left out of competitive clubs. The price of developing young soccer talent in many Latin American and European countries is a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092220\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-04-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">6- and 7-year-old Maleda Youth Soccer players practice together at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pay-to-play is part of the problem — but not the full picture, said Simon Tobin, head coach of men’s soccer at San José State University. “How can we make a sport that doesn’t cost a lot to play more cost-effective?” he said. “You shouldn’t have under 10s and under 11s traveling a couple hundred miles to go play a game.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But spaces to play soccer at a competitive level in the Bay Area are limited.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, when officials announced that the city’s historic Kezar Stadium will be the home field next season for the new Major League Soccer Next Pro team Golden City FC, that got \u003ca href=\"https://next.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">pushback from San Francisco City FC\u003c/a> — the oldest supporter-owned soccer club in the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco City FC fans argued their team was being pushed out from where they’ve hosted games for the past decade. Tensions over who gets access to soccer fields \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/12/27/373284989/icymi-2014-soccer-field-standoff-highlights-gentrification-tension\">come up\u003c/a> decade after decade and are likely to become even more fraught as interest in the sport grows.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year, the U.S. can maintain its historic dominance of the sport by ensuring female players from low-income backgrounds have access to the sport, Tobis said, adding that if more facilities become available, there will be more opportunities for women and co-ed teams to develop across all competition levels.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The U.S. Soccer Federation has also unveiled its own plan to prevent young players from leaving the sport, which includes millions of dollars \u003ca href=\"https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/02/us-soccer-awards-3-million-to-benefit-member-organizations-through-2024-innovate-to-grow-initiative\">in grants\u003c/a> to youth leagues nationwide, training more referees and promoting the game beyond the competitive club environment.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The next stage for soccer is to embrace everybody that can play. Get to those that have been put off in the past by the sheer cost of it,” Tobis said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At Del Monte Park in San José, Maleda only has two hours available on Saturdays for youth practice. Coach Semert Haile knows time is limited and keeps her players, kids ages 7 and 8, moving. She said she started playing at the same age when she was living in Ethiopia. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092219\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-01-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maleda Youth Soccer Club Coach Semert Haile throws a soccer ball into the air for her 6- and 7-year-old players during weekly practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Maleda Youth Soccer Club is primarily comprised of Ethiopian families. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And now as an adult living in San José, she’s always bringing new families into Maleda, so their kids can play soccer without blowing the budget.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s fun to play and learn with them. They have a pure heart,” she said between drills. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The blazing San José sun doesn’t slow her down. She’s been coaching for more than a decade with Maleda and remembers when Girma and her family would come to practice. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Look where Naomi is now,” she said. “I have a vision that many of these girls and boys will be even better than Naomi. That’s my hope. That’s my dream.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ogpenn\">Pendarvis Harshaw\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12091408/maleda-where-san-joses-brightest-soccer-stars-get-started",
"authors": [
"11708"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_27626",
"news_18541",
"news_1489",
"news_21285",
"news_34078",
"news_28623",
"news_25293",
"news_26093"
],
"featImg": "news_12092226",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12090589": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12090589",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12090589",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1784743432000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "sold-out-sf-marathon-2026-the-races-routes-and-road-closures-plus-how-to-watch-it-all",
"title": "Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All)",
"publishDate": 1784743432,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>On your mark, get set: the 2026 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a> Marathon is returning to the city later this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you are a runner who wants to take on the challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. According to organizers, the full marathon and the 1st half marathon are \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/\">both totally sold out\u003c/a> as of the time of publication, but luckily, \u003ca href=\"#youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">you still have a few options for taking part in other races.\u003c/a> (If you really want to make sure this doesn’t happen next year, the SF Marathon is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2027-50th-anniversary/\">accepting registrations for the event \u003cem>next year\u003c/em>,\u003c/a> which will also be its 50th anniversary.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon tends to take over major portions of the city to create space for the runners and their fans — meaning that the weekend of July 25-26 will be tricky for both drivers and pedestrians to move around the city, with the multiple road closures and reroutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYXzvyByRRE/\"> want to meet people\u003c/a>) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">Can I still sign up for the marathon?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">Where can I cheer on my friends in the SF Marathon (or just spectate)?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 26.2-mile main event —\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\"> the full SF Marathon\u003c/a> — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\">a map of the entire course\u003c/a> on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956032\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. \u003ccite>(Elena Popova/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">\u003c/a>Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the full marathon — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>the popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/1st-half-marathon/\">1st half marathon\u003c/a> over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to officials, the spots went out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">“faster than ever”\u003c/a> this year. But you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">join the waitlist\u003c/a> and hope for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could join the main event by \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/ultramarathon/\">signing up for the ultramarathon\u003c/a>, which is the length of two marathons. As of publication, there were 36 places left, and the cost was $606.24.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">\u003c/a>What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2nd-half-marathon/\">\u003cstrong>The City Half Marathon\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $304.84\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/10k/\">\u003cstrong>The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This race is\u003ca href=\"https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/alexi-pappas-gets-a-race-named-after-her-at-san-francisco-marathon/\"> named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian\u003c/a> Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $164.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11795730\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1814px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11795730 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1814\" height=\"1361\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg 1814w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1814px) 100vw, 1814px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. \u003ccite>(RichVintage/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/saturday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Saturday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $121.14\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sunday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Sunday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $120.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sebastians-1k-mad-dash/\">Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash\u003c/a> on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/virtual/\"> join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app\u003c/a>. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">\u003c/a>Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon website breaks down\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/traffic-advisory/\"> which city streets will be closed for races at what time\u003c/a>, along with some recommended detours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1303\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-1536x1001.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Many SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can follow SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/san-francisco-marathon\">thorough guidance on its official advisory page,\u003c/a> which will be the best place to find regular updates leading up to the event. SFMTA also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-marathon-family-run-5k-saturday-july-25-2026\">a page dedicated to Saturday events\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">\u003c/a>Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Are you a good friend cheering on a runner?\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/events-summary/\"> Make sure you know which race they are running in\u003c/a>, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/spectator-information-and-busing/\"> track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app\u003c/a> using a bib number.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199779478675-How-can-I-access-photos-of-myself-from-the-race\">the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12079285 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/IMG_2909_3-scaled.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/9410510855315-Can-I-defer-my-entry-to-next-year-?_gl=1*sii0x1*_gcl_au*MjA1OTc5MTE4LjE2ODk3MDQ0NTA.&_ga=2.182608742.1703521653.1689704450-11086041.1689704450\"> defer your registration to next year\u003c/a> for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199646007699-Can-I-convert-my-in-person-run-to-the-virtual-race-option\">your in-person race into a virtual one\u003c/a>, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199654448531-Can-I-transfer-my-entry-to-someone-else\">give or sell your bib to someone else.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">Check the weather forecast again\u003c/a> before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">National Weather Service forecasts\u003c/a> the weather a week out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website. As of publication, the weather on Sunday is \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">“mostly sunny, with a high near 68.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090696\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090696\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. \u003ccite>(Jason Doiy/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> be strategic about how to combat heat\u003c/a> by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199699746067-How-many-water-and-fuel-stops-are-on-course-\">The full marathon has 14 hydration stations\u003c/a>, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember:\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199725062675-Does-BART-run-on-race-morning-\"> BART service does not start early enough to get you there\u003c/a>, and you’ll miss your race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead,\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/hotel-and-travel-info/\"> the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations\u003c/a> to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Daly City at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero.\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/6470132568851-Can-I-purchase-a-Bart-Bus-ticket-if-I-m-already-registered-?_gl=1*ewaxuv*_gcl_au*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*FPAU*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*_ga*ODEyNTk2MjA4LjE3ODM2NDM1OTg.*_ga_49LDBFFZ2M*czE3ODM2NDM1OTckbzEkZzEkdDE3ODM2NDY0MTgkajI4JGwwJGg5MDc0OTMxODQ.*_fplc*ZWtrMXJoaXFVU3JqRWxPWXhXSjJoTyUyRmdGWTNGenF4ajNQSlVFOWlKYnYweTVsQ2dGUktlWDFsZ28zNGt2VVpaNHB4WkpwTkE1MlZvalpRY1dzV0RZUnBUT3JwZmcyWmxYVFJIdDlHd3NJd05tTEcwdDNJbmR4aFklMkY0UEtvUSUzRCUzRA..\"> You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Everything you need to know about the 2026 San Francisco Marathon weekend on July 25-26, including the route, the road closures and whether it's too late to sign up.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1784743441,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 49,
"wordCount": 1640
},
"headData": {
"title": "Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED",
"description": "Everything you need to know about the 2026 San Francisco Marathon weekend on July 25-26, including the route, the road closures and whether it's too late to sign up.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All)",
"datePublished": "2026-07-22T11:03:52-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-22T11:04:01-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 34168,
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"name": "Guides and Explainers"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12090589",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12090589/sold-out-sf-marathon-2026-the-races-routes-and-road-closures-plus-how-to-watch-it-all",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>On your mark, get set: the 2026 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a> Marathon is returning to the city later this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you are a runner who wants to take on the challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. According to organizers, the full marathon and the 1st half marathon are \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/\">both totally sold out\u003c/a> as of the time of publication, but luckily, \u003ca href=\"#youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">you still have a few options for taking part in other races.\u003c/a> (If you really want to make sure this doesn’t happen next year, the SF Marathon is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2027-50th-anniversary/\">accepting registrations for the event \u003cem>next year\u003c/em>,\u003c/a> which will also be its 50th anniversary.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon tends to take over major portions of the city to create space for the runners and their fans — meaning that the weekend of July 25-26 will be tricky for both drivers and pedestrians to move around the city, with the multiple road closures and reroutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYXzvyByRRE/\"> want to meet people\u003c/a>) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">Can I still sign up for the marathon?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">Where can I cheer on my friends in the SF Marathon (or just spectate)?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 26.2-mile main event —\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\"> the full SF Marathon\u003c/a> — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\">a map of the entire course\u003c/a> on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956032\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. \u003ccite>(Elena Popova/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">\u003c/a>Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the full marathon — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>the popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/1st-half-marathon/\">1st half marathon\u003c/a> over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to officials, the spots went out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">“faster than ever”\u003c/a> this year. But you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">join the waitlist\u003c/a> and hope for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could join the main event by \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/ultramarathon/\">signing up for the ultramarathon\u003c/a>, which is the length of two marathons. As of publication, there were 36 places left, and the cost was $606.24.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">\u003c/a>What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2nd-half-marathon/\">\u003cstrong>The City Half Marathon\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $304.84\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/10k/\">\u003cstrong>The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This race is\u003ca href=\"https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/alexi-pappas-gets-a-race-named-after-her-at-san-francisco-marathon/\"> named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian\u003c/a> Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $164.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11795730\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1814px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11795730 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1814\" height=\"1361\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg 1814w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1814px) 100vw, 1814px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. \u003ccite>(RichVintage/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/saturday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Saturday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $121.14\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sunday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Sunday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $120.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sebastians-1k-mad-dash/\">Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash\u003c/a> on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/virtual/\"> join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app\u003c/a>. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">\u003c/a>Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon website breaks down\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/traffic-advisory/\"> which city streets will be closed for races at what time\u003c/a>, along with some recommended detours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1303\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-1536x1001.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Many SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can follow SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/san-francisco-marathon\">thorough guidance on its official advisory page,\u003c/a> which will be the best place to find regular updates leading up to the event. SFMTA also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-marathon-family-run-5k-saturday-july-25-2026\">a page dedicated to Saturday events\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">\u003c/a>Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Are you a good friend cheering on a runner?\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/events-summary/\"> Make sure you know which race they are running in\u003c/a>, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/spectator-information-and-busing/\"> track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app\u003c/a> using a bib number.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199779478675-How-can-I-access-photos-of-myself-from-the-race\">the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12079285",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/IMG_2909_3-scaled.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/9410510855315-Can-I-defer-my-entry-to-next-year-?_gl=1*sii0x1*_gcl_au*MjA1OTc5MTE4LjE2ODk3MDQ0NTA.&_ga=2.182608742.1703521653.1689704450-11086041.1689704450\"> defer your registration to next year\u003c/a> for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199646007699-Can-I-convert-my-in-person-run-to-the-virtual-race-option\">your in-person race into a virtual one\u003c/a>, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199654448531-Can-I-transfer-my-entry-to-someone-else\">give or sell your bib to someone else.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">Check the weather forecast again\u003c/a> before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">National Weather Service forecasts\u003c/a> the weather a week out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website. As of publication, the weather on Sunday is \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">“mostly sunny, with a high near 68.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090696\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090696\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. \u003ccite>(Jason Doiy/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> be strategic about how to combat heat\u003c/a> by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199699746067-How-many-water-and-fuel-stops-are-on-course-\">The full marathon has 14 hydration stations\u003c/a>, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember:\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199725062675-Does-BART-run-on-race-morning-\"> BART service does not start early enough to get you there\u003c/a>, and you’ll miss your race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead,\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/hotel-and-travel-info/\"> the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations\u003c/a> to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Daly City at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero.\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/6470132568851-Can-I-purchase-a-Bart-Bus-ticket-if-I-m-already-registered-?_gl=1*ewaxuv*_gcl_au*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*FPAU*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*_ga*ODEyNTk2MjA4LjE3ODM2NDM1OTg.*_ga_49LDBFFZ2M*czE3ODM2NDM1OTckbzEkZzEkdDE3ODM2NDY0MTgkajI4JGwwJGg5MDc0OTMxODQ.*_fplc*ZWtrMXJoaXFVU3JqRWxPWXhXSjJoTyUyRmdGWTNGenF4ajNQSlVFOWlKYnYweTVsQ2dGUktlWDFsZ28zNGt2VVpaNHB4WkpwTkE1MlZvalpRY1dzV0RZUnBUT3JwZmcyWmxYVFJIdDlHd3NJd05tTEcwdDNJbmR4aFklMkY0UEtvUSUzRCUzRA..\"> You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12090589/sold-out-sf-marathon-2026-the-races-routes-and-road-closures-plus-how-to-watch-it-all",
"authors": [
"11867"
],
"categories": [
"news_34168",
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_1386",
"news_33130",
"news_34081",
"news_35888",
"news_38",
"news_6658",
"news_34078"
],
"featImg": "news_11956031",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12091779": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12091779",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12091779",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1784506686000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win",
"title": "Bay Area Soccer Fans Celebrate Spain's World Cup Win",
"publishDate": 1784506686,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Bay Area Soccer Fans Celebrate Spain’s World Cup Win | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>The U.S. was out of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup \u003c/a>contention earlier this month, Mexico — which has a large Bay Area diaspora that showed out in numbers to regional watch parties — even earlier and games haven’t taken place in the Bay Area in weeks, but San Francisco soccer fans still found something to celebrate for the tournament’s finale. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hundreds took over Thrive City for hours this afternoon to take in a Spain-Argentina match that capped off the biggest World Cup ever – with 48 teams competing in 104 games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Spain’s win against the defending champions didn’t come until extra time, when Ferran Torres scored the winning goal, bringing the score to 1-0 and sending the watch party into the loudest it had been all afternoon. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091786\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091791\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091791\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Zota, an Argentina fan, watches the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area was lucky to host six games before the final match, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">a knockout game the U.S. prevailed\u003c/a> in that riled up chants and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088892/world-cup-brings-celebrations-mixed-emotions-for-bay-area-immigrant-communities\">some feelings\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That was true of Thrive City’s packed watch party finale. Some watchers noted that the vibe wasn’t as rowdy as other parties, but fans erupted in cheers at all the right moments. The sole counted goal being one of them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adrian Coronel, who came down from Santa Rosa, said he was happy either way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091792\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans attend a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was good at the end,” Coronel said. “I mean, I always love a dramatic finish.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Harsh Parikh, a San Jose resident and fan of Spain, said winning this World Cup would bring back memories of Spain’s last win in 2010.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We played so well this tournament,” Parikh said. “The vibe [in the Bay Area] has been amazing, and I think it’s really going to kick off in this country now.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091784\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Parikh, a fan of Spain, poses for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The game drew lifelong fans and some just along for the tournament’s end, many from outside of the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Scarlett Carrillo, a Mexico fan who came to root for Spain, said the World Cup coming to the Bay Area on and off screen brought out even more of the region’s diversity.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even though people are from different countries, you have different people from different cultures and countries, and they’re all rooting for either Spain or Argentina. It doesn’t matter if you’re from there or not,” Carrillo, a Napa County resident who’s from Mexico, said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091783\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alejandro Martinez Gonzalez (left) and Scarlett Carrillo (right) pose for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But while most fans were happy either way, some — not including Carrillo, a Ronaldo fan — were upset that Messi failed to win another World Cup in what could be his last game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I grew up watching Messi my whole life. I love Messi, would have loved for him to win another one,” Abdalla Badri said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091789\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091789\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091790\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091790\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for Spain as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The tournament has not been without some snags. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>High ticket prices from FIFA and resellers — not a problem at Thrive City’s free event — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090613/how-much-did-speculation-impact-world-ticket-prices\">caused problems\u003c/a> for fans. Tightened travel restrictions from the Trump administration, too, have been an obstacle for some players and officials. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Locally, at least some celebrations have seen violence erupt. Two stabbings and a pair of nonfatal shootings happened in San Jose after Mexico’s win against Ecuador. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thrive City was tamer. Fans packed the viewing area, with many more waiting outside, and donned their team’s jerseys. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as Spain wins the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Francisco Abarrio, who attended with his family and watches every Argentina game, said the vibe was still great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We didn’t know what to expect was going on here, but definitely it’s the best place to see the World Cup in San Francisco,” said Abarrio, who is visiting from Miami. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091781\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Obarrio Suaya family, fans of the Argentina team, pose for a portrait a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was a great final,” Coronel said. “What a way to end it.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The U.S. was out of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup \u003c/a>contention earlier this month, Mexico — which has a large Bay Area diaspora that showed out in numbers to regional watch parties — even earlier and games haven’t taken place in the Bay Area in weeks, but San Francisco soccer fans still found something to celebrate for the tournament’s finale. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The U.S. was out of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup \u003c/a>contention earlier this month, Mexico — which has a large Bay Area diaspora that showed out in numbers to regional watch parties — even earlier and games haven’t taken place in the Bay Area in weeks, but San Francisco soccer fans still found something to celebrate for the tournament’s finale. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hundreds took over Thrive City for hours this afternoon to take in a Spain-Argentina match that capped off the biggest World Cup ever – with 48 teams competing in 104 games. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hundreds took over Thrive City for hours this afternoon to take in a Spain-Argentina match that capped off the biggest World Cup ever – with 48 teams competing in 104 games. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Spain’s win against the defending champions didn’t come until extra time, when Ferran Torres scored the winning goal, bringing the score to 1-0 and sending the watch party into the loudest it had been all afternoon. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Spain’s win against the defending champions didn’t come until extra time, when Ferran Torres scored the winning goal, bringing the score to 1-0 and sending the watch party into the loudest it had been all afternoon. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091786,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091786\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091786\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091791,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091791\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Zota, an Argentina fan, watches the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091791\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Zota, an Argentina fan, watches the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area was lucky to host six games before the final match, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">a knockout game the U.S. prevailed\u003c/a> in that riled up chants and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088892/world-cup-brings-celebrations-mixed-emotions-for-bay-area-immigrant-communities\">some feelings\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area was lucky to host six games before the final match, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">a knockout game the U.S. prevailed\u003c/a> in that riled up chants and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088892/world-cup-brings-celebrations-mixed-emotions-for-bay-area-immigrant-communities\">some feelings\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That was true of Thrive City’s packed watch party finale. Some watchers noted that the vibe wasn’t as rowdy as other parties, but fans erupted in cheers at all the right moments. The sole counted goal being one of them. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That was true of Thrive City’s packed watch party finale. Some watchers noted that the vibe wasn’t as rowdy as other parties, but fans erupted in cheers at all the right moments. The sole counted goal being one of them. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Adrian Coronel, who came down from Santa Rosa, said he was happy either way.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Adrian Coronel, who came down from Santa Rosa, said he was happy either way.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091792,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091792\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans attend a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091792\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans attend a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was good at the end,” Coronel said. “I mean, I always love a dramatic finish.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It was good at the end,” Coronel said. “I mean, I always love a dramatic finish.” \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Harsh Parikh, a San Jose resident and fan of Spain, said winning this World Cup would bring back memories of Spain’s last win in 2010.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Harsh Parikh, a San Jose resident and fan of Spain, said winning this World Cup would bring back memories of Spain’s last win in 2010.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We played so well this tournament,” Parikh said. “The vibe [in the Bay Area] has been amazing, and I think it’s really going to kick off in this country now.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We played so well this tournament,” Parikh said. “The vibe [in the Bay Area] has been amazing, and I think it’s really going to kick off in this country now.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091784,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091784\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Parikh, a fan of Spain, poses for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091784\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Parikh, a fan of Spain, poses for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The game drew lifelong fans and some just along for the tournament’s end, many from outside of the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The game drew lifelong fans and some just along for the tournament’s end, many from outside of the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Scarlett Carrillo, a Mexico fan who came to root for Spain, said the World Cup coming to the Bay Area on and off screen brought out even more of the region’s diversity.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Scarlett Carrillo, a Mexico fan who came to root for Spain, said the World Cup coming to the Bay Area on and off screen brought out even more of the region’s diversity.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Even though people are from different countries, you have different people from different cultures and countries, and they’re all rooting for either Spain or Argentina. It doesn’t matter if you’re from there or not,” Carrillo, a Napa County resident who’s from Mexico, said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Even though people are from different countries, you have different people from different cultures and countries, and they’re all rooting for either Spain or Argentina. It doesn’t matter if you’re from there or not,” Carrillo, a Napa County resident who’s from Mexico, said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091783,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091783\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alejandro Martinez Gonzalez (left) and Scarlett Carrillo (right) pose for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091783\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alejandro Martinez Gonzalez (left) and Scarlett Carrillo (right) pose for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But while most fans were happy either way, some — not including Carrillo, a Ronaldo fan — were upset that Messi failed to win another World Cup in what could be his last game.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But while most fans were happy either way, some — not including Carrillo, a Ronaldo fan — were upset that Messi failed to win another World Cup in what could be his last game.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I grew up watching Messi my whole life. I love Messi, would have loved for him to win another one,” Abdalla Badri said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I grew up watching Messi my whole life. I love Messi, would have loved for him to win another one,” Abdalla Badri said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091789,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091789\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091789\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091790,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091790\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for Spain as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091790\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for Spain as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The tournament has not been without some snags. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The tournament has not been without some snags. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>High ticket prices from FIFA and resellers — not a problem at Thrive City’s free event — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090613/how-much-did-speculation-impact-world-ticket-prices\">caused problems\u003c/a> for fans. Tightened travel restrictions from the Trump administration, too, have been an obstacle for some players and officials. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>High ticket prices from FIFA and resellers — not a problem at Thrive City’s free event — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090613/how-much-did-speculation-impact-world-ticket-prices\">caused problems\u003c/a> for fans. Tightened travel restrictions from the Trump administration, too, have been an obstacle for some players and officials. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Locally, at least some celebrations have seen violence erupt. Two stabbings and a pair of nonfatal shootings happened in San Jose after Mexico’s win against Ecuador. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Locally, at least some celebrations have seen violence erupt. Two stabbings and a pair of nonfatal shootings happened in San Jose after Mexico’s win against Ecuador. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Thrive City was tamer. Fans packed the viewing area, with many more waiting outside, and donned their team’s jerseys. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Thrive City was tamer. Fans packed the viewing area, with many more waiting outside, and donned their team’s jerseys. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091787,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as Spain wins the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091787\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as Spain wins the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Francisco Abarrio, who attended with his family and watches every Argentina game, said the vibe was still great.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Francisco Abarrio, who attended with his family and watches every Argentina game, said the vibe was still great.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We didn’t know what to expect was going on here, but definitely it’s the best place to see the World Cup in San Francisco,” said Abarrio, who is visiting from Miami. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We didn’t know what to expect was going on here, but definitely it’s the best place to see the World Cup in San Francisco,” said Abarrio, who is visiting from Miami. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12091781,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Tâm Vũ/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091781\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Obarrio Suaya family, fans of the Argentina team, pose for a portrait a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091781\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Obarrio Suaya family, fans of the Argentina team, pose for a portrait a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was a great final,” Coronel said. “What a way to end it.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It was a great final,” Coronel said. “What a way to end it.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Fans in San Francisco watched the Spain-Argentina match at Thrive City, ending another World Cup. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1784571832,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 23,
"wordCount": 1011
},
"headData": {
"title": "Bay Area Soccer Fans Celebrate Spain's World Cup Win | KQED",
"description": "Fans in San Francisco watched the Spain-Argentina match at Thrive City, ending another World Cup. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Bay Area Soccer Fans Celebrate Spain's World Cup Win",
"datePublished": "2026-07-19T17:18:06-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-20T11:23:52-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"name": "Sports"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12091779",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The U.S. was out of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">World Cup \u003c/a>contention earlier this month, Mexico — which has a large Bay Area diaspora that showed out in numbers to regional watch parties — even earlier and games haven’t taken place in the Bay Area in weeks, but San Francisco soccer fans still found something to celebrate for the tournament’s finale. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hundreds took over Thrive City for hours this afternoon to take in a Spain-Argentina match that capped off the biggest World Cup ever – with 48 teams competing in 104 games. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Spain’s win against the defending champions didn’t come until extra time, when Ferran Torres scored the winning goal, bringing the score to 1-0 and sending the watch party into the loudest it had been all afternoon. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091786\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01004_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091791\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091791\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00232_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Zota, an Argentina fan, watches the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area was lucky to host six games before the final match, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089303/us-fans-geared-up-for-teams-bay-area-world-cup-match-against-bosnia\">a knockout game the U.S. prevailed\u003c/a> in that riled up chants and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088892/world-cup-brings-celebrations-mixed-emotions-for-bay-area-immigrant-communities\">some feelings\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That was true of Thrive City’s packed watch party finale. Some watchers noted that the vibe wasn’t as rowdy as other parties, but fans erupted in cheers at all the right moments. The sole counted goal being one of them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Adrian Coronel, who came down from Santa Rosa, said he was happy either way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091792\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00216_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans attend a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was good at the end,” Coronel said. “I mean, I always love a dramatic finish.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Harsh Parikh, a San Jose resident and fan of Spain, said winning this World Cup would bring back memories of Spain’s last win in 2010.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We played so well this tournament,” Parikh said. “The vibe [in the Bay Area] has been amazing, and I think it’s really going to kick off in this country now.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091784\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00242_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Harsh Parikh, a fan of Spain, poses for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina in anticipation at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The game drew lifelong fans and some just along for the tournament’s end, many from outside of the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Scarlett Carrillo, a Mexico fan who came to root for Spain, said the World Cup coming to the Bay Area on and off screen brought out even more of the region’s diversity.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even though people are from different countries, you have different people from different cultures and countries, and they’re all rooting for either Spain or Argentina. It doesn’t matter if you’re from there or not,” Carrillo, a Napa County resident who’s from Mexico, said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091783\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00188_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Alejandro Martinez Gonzalez (left) and Scarlett Carrillo (right) pose for a portrait at a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But while most fans were happy either way, some — not including Carrillo, a Ronaldo fan — were upset that Messi failed to win another World Cup in what could be his last game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I grew up watching Messi my whole life. I love Messi, would have loved for him to win another one,” Abdalla Badri said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091789\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091789\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00954_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12091790\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091790\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00761_TV_qed-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for Spain as they watch the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The tournament has not been without some snags. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>High ticket prices from FIFA and resellers — not a problem at Thrive City’s free event — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090613/how-much-did-speculation-impact-world-ticket-prices\">caused problems\u003c/a> for fans. Tightened travel restrictions from the Trump administration, too, have been an obstacle for some players and officials. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Locally, at least some celebrations have seen violence erupt. Two stabbings and a pair of nonfatal shootings happened in San Jose after Mexico’s win against Ecuador. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thrive City was tamer. Fans packed the viewing area, with many more waiting outside, and donned their team’s jerseys. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-01073_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soccer fans cheer as Spain wins the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in the final World Cup game of 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Francisco Abarrio, who attended with his family and watches every Argentina game, said the vibe was still great.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We didn’t know what to expect was going on here, but definitely it’s the best place to see the World Cup in San Francisco,” said Abarrio, who is visiting from Miami. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091781\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260719-worldcupfinals-00379_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Obarrio Suaya family, fans of the Argentina team, pose for a portrait a watch party for the final World Cup match between Spain vs. Argentina at Thrive City in San Francisco on July 19, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It was a great final,” Coronel said. “What a way to end it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12091779/bay-area-soccer-fans-celebrate-spains-world-cup-win",
"authors": [
"11935"
],
"categories": [
"news_28250",
"news_8",
"news_10"
],
"tags": [
"news_27626",
"news_36837",
"news_17996",
"news_2672",
"news_34078",
"news_26093",
"news_6464"
],
"featImg": "news_12091788",
"label": "news"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"radioSearchSegmentsReducer": {},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/news?category=sports": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 0,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 1370,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"news_12098165",
"news_12097872",
"news_12096884",
"news_12096541",
"news_12096497",
"news_12095587",
"news_12095766",
"news_12095311",
"news_12092910",
"news_12091408",
"news_12090589",
"news_12091779"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news_category_sports": {
"isLoading": true
},
"news_10": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_10",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "10",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10,
"slug": "sports",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/sports"
},
"source_news_12096541": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_12096541",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "Bay Curious",
"link": "https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/baycurious",
"isLoading": false
},
"source_news_12096497": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_news_12096497",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "AP News",
"link": "https://apnews.com/",
"isLoading": false
},
"news_34168": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34168",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34168",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Guides and Explainers",
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Guides and Explainers Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34185,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/guides-and-explainers"
},
"news_28250": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28250",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28250",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Local",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Local Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28267,
"slug": "local",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/local"
},
"news_32707": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32707",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32707",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "audience-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "audience-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32724,
"slug": "audience-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/audience-news"
},
"news_1386": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1386",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1386",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1398,
"slug": "bay-area",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area"
},
"news_32793": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32793",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32793",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area soccer",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area soccer Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32810,
"slug": "bay-area-soccer",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area-soccer"
},
"news_34081": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34081",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34081",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "events",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "events Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 34098,
"slug": "events",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/events"
},
"news_35888": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_35888",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "35888",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "featured-audience-news",
"slug": "featured-audience-news",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "featured-audience-news | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35905,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-audience-news"
},
"news_27626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27643,
"slug": "featured-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-news"
},
"news_4445": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4445",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4445",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "hockey",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "hockey Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4464,
"slug": "hockey",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/hockey"
},
"news_18541": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18541",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18541",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Jose",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Jose Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 91,
"slug": "san-jose",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-jose"
},
"news_1489": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1489",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1489",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "soccer",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "soccer Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1501,
"slug": "soccer",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/soccer"
},
"news_34078": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34078",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34078",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 34095,
"slug": "sports",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sports"
},
"news_28623": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28623",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28623",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "women's soccer",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "women's soccer Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28640,
"slug": "womens-soccer",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/womens-soccer"
},
"news_25293": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_25293",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "25293",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "women's sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "women's sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 25310,
"slug": "womens-sports",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/womens-sports"
},
"news_33736": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33736",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33736",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts and Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts and Culture Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33753,
"slug": "arts-and-culture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/arts-and-culture"
},
"news_33740": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33740",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33740",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Events",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Events Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33757,
"slug": "events",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/events"
},
"news_33733": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33733",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33733",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33750,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/news"
},
"news_18540": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18540",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18540",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Education",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Education Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2595,
"slug": "education",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/education"
},
"news_8": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_8",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "8",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/news"
},
"news_18203": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18203",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18203",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "baseball",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "baseball Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18237,
"slug": "baseball",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/baseball"
},
"news_34055": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34055",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34055",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Daniel Lurie",
"slug": "daniel-lurie",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Daniel Lurie | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34072,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/daniel-lurie"
},
"news_20013": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20013",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20013",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "education",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "education Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20030,
"slug": "education",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/education"
},
"news_4922": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4922",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4922",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "high school",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "high school Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4941,
"slug": "high-school",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/high-school"
},
"news_35354": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_35354",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "35354",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "investigation",
"slug": "investigation",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "investigation | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35371,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/investigation"
},
"news_29127": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29127",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29127",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "lowell high school",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "lowell high school Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 29144,
"slug": "lowell-high-school",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/lowell-high-school"
},
"news_19216": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19216",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19216",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "racism",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "racism Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19233,
"slug": "racism",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/racism"
},
"news_1258": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1258",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1258",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Chronicle",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Chronicle Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1270,
"slug": "san-francisco-chronicle",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco-chronicle"
},
"news_1290": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1290",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1290",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "SFUSD",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "SFUSD Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1302,
"slug": "sfusd",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sfusd"
},
"news_33729": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33729",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33729",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33746,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/san-francisco"
},
"news_1131": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1131",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1131",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "women's basketball",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "women's basketball Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1142,
"slug": "womens-basketball",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/womens-basketball"
},
"news_18077": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18077",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18077",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Women's Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Women's Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18111,
"slug": "womens-health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/womens-health"
},
"news_33523": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33523",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33523",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Curious",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "program",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Curious Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33540,
"slug": "bay-curious",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/program/bay-curious"
},
"news_34552": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34552",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34552",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "baycurious",
"slug": "baycurious",
"taxonomy": "program",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "baycurious | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34569,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/program/baycurious"
},
"news_17986": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17986",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17986",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2016/11/BayCuriousLogoFinal01-e1493662037229.png",
"name": "Bay Curious",
"description": "\u003ch2>A podcast exploring the Bay Area one question at a time\u003c/h2>\r\n\r\n\u003caside>\r\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 20px;\">\r\n\r\nKQED’s \u003cstrong>Bay Curious\u003c/strong> gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.\r\n\u003cbr />\r\n\u003cspan class=\"alignleft\">\u003ca href=\"https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1172473406\">\u003cimg width=\"75px\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/11/DownloadOniTunes_100x100.png\">\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://goo.gl/app/playmusic?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/Ipi2mc5aqfen4nr2daayiziiyuy?t%3DBay_Curious\">\u003cimg width=\"75px\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/11/Google_Play_100x100.png\">\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003c/div>\r\n\u003c/aside> \r\n\u003ch2>What's your question?\u003c/h2>\r\n\u003cdiv id=\"huxq6\" class=\"curiosity-module\" data-pym-src=\"//modules.wearehearken.com/kqed/curiosity_modules/133\">\u003c/div>\r\n\u003cscript src=\"//assets.wearehearken.com/production/thirdparty/p.m.js\">\u003c/script>\r\n\u003ch2>Bay Curious monthly newsletter\u003c/h2>\r\nWe're launching it soon! \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEtzbyNbSQkRHCCAkKhoGiAl3Bd0zWxhk0ZseJ1KH_o_ZDjQ/viewform\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up\u003c/a> so you don't miss it when it drops.\r\n",
"taxonomy": "series",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "A podcast exploring the Bay Area one question at a time KQED’s Bay Curious gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers. What's your question? Bay Curious monthly newsletter We're launching it soon! Sign up so you don't miss it when it drops.",
"title": "Bay Curious Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18020,
"slug": "baycurious",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/series/baycurious"
},
"news_33520": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33520",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33520",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Podcast",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Podcast Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33537,
"slug": "podcast",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/podcast"
},
"news_18426": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18426",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18426",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Curious",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Curious Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18460,
"slug": "bay-curious",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-curious"
},
"news_129": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_129",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "129",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Berkeley",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Berkeley Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 133,
"slug": "berkeley",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/berkeley"
},
"news_823": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_823",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "823",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Golden Gate Park",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Golden Gate Park Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 833,
"slug": "golden-gate-park",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/golden-gate-park"
},
"news_34054": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34054",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34054",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "oakland Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 34071,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oakland"
},
"news_34560": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34560",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34560",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "podcasts | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34577,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/podcasts"
},
"news_383": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_383",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "383",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Recreation",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Recreation Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 391,
"slug": "recreation",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/recreation"
},
"news_38": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_38",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "38",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 58,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco"
},
"news_1855": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1855",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1855",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "travel",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "travel Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1870,
"slug": "travel",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/travel"
},
"news_33749": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33749",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33749",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Entertainment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Entertainment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33766,
"slug": "entertainment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/entertainment"
},
"news_31795": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31795",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31795",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31812,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/california"
},
"news_35965": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_35965",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "35965",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "arrest",
"slug": "arrest",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "arrest | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 35982,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/arrest"
},
"news_499": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_499",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "499",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "NFL",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "NFL Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 508,
"slug": "nfl",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/nfl"
},
"news_505": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_505",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "505",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco 49ers",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco 49ers Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 514,
"slug": "san-francisco-49ers",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco-49ers"
},
"news_783": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_783",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "783",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Super Bowl",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Super Bowl Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 792,
"slug": "super-bowl",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/super-bowl"
},
"news_33738": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33738",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33738",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33755,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/california"
},
"news_26598": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26598",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26598",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "affordability",
"slug": "affordability",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "affordability | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 26615,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/affordability"
},
"news_36350": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_36350",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "36350",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "featured-affordability",
"slug": "featured-affordability",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "featured-affordability | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 36367,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-affordability"
},
"news_98": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_98",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "98",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Youth",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Youth Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 101,
"slug": "youth",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/youth"
},
"news_33746": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33746",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33746",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Education",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Education Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33763,
"slug": "education",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/education"
},
"news_18058": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18058",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18058",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "basketball",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "basketball Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18092,
"slug": "basketball",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/basketball"
},
"news_26589": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26589",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26589",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "chase center",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "chase center Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 26606,
"slug": "chase-center",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/chase-center"
},
"news_34044": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34044",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34044",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Golden State Valkyries",
"slug": "golden-state-valkyries",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Golden State Valkyries | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34061,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/golden-state-valkyries"
},
"news_33257": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33257",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33257",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "WNBA",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "WNBA Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33274,
"slug": "wnba",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wnba"
},
"news_27": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Giants",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Giants Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27,
"slug": "giants",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/giants"
},
"news_2540": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2540",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2540",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "MLB",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "MLB Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2555,
"slug": "mlb",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/mlb"
},
"news_23464": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_23464",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "23464",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Oracle Arena",
"slug": "oracle-arena",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Oracle Arena | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 23481,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oracle-arena"
},
"news_36084": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_36084",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "36084",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "college students",
"slug": "college-students",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "college students | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 36101,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/college-students"
},
"news_21766": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21766",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21766",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sonoma",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sonoma Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21783,
"slug": "sonoma",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sonoma"
},
"news_34058": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34058",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34058",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Sonoma State",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Sonoma State Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 34075,
"slug": "sonoma-state",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sonoma-state"
},
"news_21285": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21285",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21285",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "South Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "South Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21302,
"slug": "south-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/south-bay"
},
"news_26093": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26093",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26093",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "women's world cup",
"slug": "womens-world-cup",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "women's world cup | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "noindex"
},
"ttid": 26110,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/womens-world-cup"
},
"news_33731": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33731",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33731",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "South Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "South Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33748,
"slug": "south-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/south-bay"
},
"news_33130": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33130",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33130",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area sports",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area sports Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33147,
"slug": "bay-area-sports",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area-sports"
},
"news_6658": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6658",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6658",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Half Marathon",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Half Marathon Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6682,
"slug": "san-francisco-half-marathon",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco-half-marathon"
},
"news_36837": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_36837",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "36837",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "FIFA",
"slug": "fifa",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "FIFA | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 36854,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/fifa"
},
"news_17996": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17996",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17996",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18030,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/news"
},
"news_2672": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_2672",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "2672",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Photography",
"description": "Witness the Bay Area through captivating images and compelling narratives. Explore the latest visually-driven storytelling by KQED and immerse yourself in the heart of our community.",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": "Witness the Bay Area through captivating images and compelling narratives. Explore the latest visually-driven storytelling by KQED and immerse yourself in the heart of our community.",
"title": "Photography Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2689,
"slug": "photography",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/photography"
},
"news_6464": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6464",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6464",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "World Cup",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "World Cup Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6488,
"slug": "world-cup",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/world-cup"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
},
"requestOutcomesReducer": {
"notFound": []
}
}
