Commission approves advertising signage at Raimondi Park tied to Oakland Ballers license

The Oakland Planning Commission on May 7 unanimously approved a major conditional use permit (CUP) allowing advertising signage at the Raimondi Park baseball field, a proposal tied to a license agreement with the Oakland Ballers intended to generate revenue for park improvements.

Pete Volman, planning staff, said the Ballers initially entered a one‑year license and invested in field improvements when returning the site to play. Volman noted that the advertising proposal is limited to the baseball field area and that an open‑space zone provision allows advertising where revenue supports park enhancements; he said the concept had been reviewed by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and carried forward in the license agreement reviewed by council.

Applicant Paul Friedman, cofounder of the Oakland Ballers, described the financial terms: "50% would go back to the city for parks improvement," he said of naming‑rights revenue; he added that 20% of other signage revenue is designated for parks, there is a $0.50 per‑ticket surcharge to the general fund, and the team pays a $1,000 monthly license fee. Friedman also cited community benefits such as movie nights, youth access and open‑field availability.

Commissioners asked whether funds would be ring‑fenced for park uses; planning staff said Parks & Rec administers distribution and that specific improvements would likely come before the Parks & Rec Advisory Commission. Volman and the applicant said planned and underway improvements include permanent fencing and security, batting cages, phased restroom and concession facilities, outfield wall rebuilding toward Campbell Street, storage and office space for park staff, and other phased upgrades.

Outcome: Commissioner Alex Randolph moved to affirm the environmental determination and approve the major CUP subject to the attached findings and conditions; the motion passed unanimously and the decision is appealable within 10 days.

Context: Staff said the license and advertising approach is intended to recoup field investment, fund improvements at Raimondi Park and provide revenue for other parks through revenue sharing. Several commissioners praised the Ballers’ community role and urged mechanisms to ensure park funding is used for park improvements.

What’s next: The CUP decision is finalable after the appeal window; staff and Parks & Rec will coordinate on how revenues are allocated to park improvements.