Paul Freedman has started a new venture–founding the Oakland B’s, an independent baseball team. Freedman and his co-founder, Bryan Carmel, are applying their startup experience to create a unique fan experience and foster community spirit in Oakland. The Oakland B’s aim to fill the void left by the departure of the Oakland A’s, who are planning to leave the Bay Area.
While the B’s can’t fully replace an MLB team, they are determined to prioritize the fans and give back to the community. Freedman and Carmel are leveraging their tech startup background to introduce innovative ideas into the world of baseball. They have a dedicated app for fan engagement, featuring live updates, exclusive content, and interactive features that allow fans to participate in real-time decisions.
The team is also actively involved in local outreach programs, providing underprivileged youth with access to sports education and better opportunities. They regularly host community events and have partnered with local businesses to foster a sense of unity and mutual support. “We’re not just building a team; we’re building a movement,” says Freedman. “Our goal is to make the Oakland B’s a community cornerstone, to give fans something to be truly excited about.”
The Oakland B’s are playing in the Pioneer League, a professional baseball organization partnered with the MLB.
Oakland B’s focus on community engagement
Unlike the minor leagues, the Pioneer League is not tied to existing MLB teams, allowing for more experimentation and innovation.
Freedman and Carmel raised a $2 million seed round to build their ballpark from the ground up. They apply startup principles like iteration and A/B testing to create a better fan experience. For example, when Pioneer League games end in a tie, they hold an impromptu Home Run Derby to decide the winner.
The Ballers have also partnered with a fan-interaction app, allowing fans to make real-time game decisions like the manager. They even opened up partial franchise ownership to the fans, raising over $1.235 million from about 2,200 people in an oversubscribed, fan-driven funding round. “One of the things I always advise startups on is to ensure investor alignment,” Freedman said.
“With us, it’s like, do your owners want the same thing? And fan owners, we believe, want the same thing — what we want to do is bring joy to fans, and we think the way to do that is to create a great experience.”
The Oakland B’s are still in their first season, but they offer hope to A’s fans who will soon be without their lifelong favorite team. Freedman challenges the status quo by showing fans that they don’t have to live by the whims of billionaire sports team owners.
His focus on his mission is based on his tech experience and his spending most of his life in Oakland.
