SAN JOSE, Calif. (Diya TV) — Team owner John Fisher announced on Wednesday that he has started the process of selling the Major League Soccer club. Fisher, who is the process of moving the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas, purchased the Earthquakes in 2007 with Lew Wolff for a $20 million expansion fee. Their ownership brought the team back to San Jose in 2008 after a two-year absence.
In a statement released by the team, Fisher shared his appreciation for the club and its supporters.
“The San Jose Earthquakes and PayPal Park have been an important part of our lives for nearly two decades,” Fisher said. “We are proud of the role the Quakes have played in the growth of soccer throughout Silicon Valley. The Bay Area is a special place, and we’re deeply grateful to the fans, players, and staff who’ve been with us on this journey.”
To manage the sale, the Earthquakes have hired New York-based investment firm Moelis & Co. The club is now one of two Major League Soccer franchises on the market. The Vancouver Whitecaps are the other team currently up for sale.
The Earthquakes have a rich history in American soccer. The team originally launched in 1996 as one of the league’s founding members. They were known then as the San Jose Clash. In 1999, the team rebranded to the Earthquakes. The Quakes went on to win MLS Cup championships in 2001 and 2003, becoming one of the league’s early success stories.
The club also owns and operates PayPal Park, a soccer-specific stadium with 18,000 seats. Located in San Jose, the stadium opened in 2015 and is home to both the Earthquakes and Bay FC, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League. The stadium is considered one of the top venues in MLS.
In addition to building modern facilities, Fisher’s ownership helped establish a well-respected youth academy. The club’s development system has produced several talented players and helped expand soccer’s presence across the Bay Area.
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber thanked the Fisher family for their dedication to the league and the San Jose community.
“On behalf of Major League Soccer, I want to thank the Fisher family for their longstanding commitment to the Earthquakes and the San Jose community,” Garber said. “Under their leadership, the club invested in world-class facilities like PayPal Park, built a highly respected youth academy, and helped grow the game in one of the nation’s most dynamic markets.”
Despite recent struggles on the field, the Earthquakes maintain a passionate fan base. A fresh start under new ownership could bring new energy and direction to the team.
As the sale process begins, the team will continue its regular MLS season at PayPal Park.