Columbia Bank Named Founding Partner of the Oakland Ballers
Becomes Official Banking Partner in Long-Term, Community-Focused Partnership
The Oakland Ballers today announced a multi-year partnership with Columbia Bank, naming one of the West’s leading financial institutions as the club’s front-of-jersey patch brand, as well as the founding partner and the official bank of the Oakland Ballers.
Timed with the Ballers’ historic Battle of the Bay 2.1 exhibition game, the announcement follows the first on-field appearance of the Columbia Bank jersey patch, marking the beginning of a partnership designed to extend well beyond the ballpark.
This partnership centers on a unified mission: backing local champions wherever they show up, from the field at Raimondi Park to the small businesses, neighborhoods, and community spaces that define the city.
“This partnership represents what we believe sports should be,” said Paul Freedman, Co-Founder and CEO of the Oakland Ballers. “It’s not about logos or signage. It’s about showing up for a city, investing in its people, and building something meaningful alongside the community. Columbia Bank understood that from day one.”
“We are excited to partner with the Oakland Ballers, not only to cheer them on during the season but to also help the players, fans and local businesses achieve their financial goals,” said Brad Aris, SVP, Bay Area Market Director of Columbia Bank. “Both our organizations are passionate about supporting the Oakland community, so working alongside the Ballers as the team’s bank and founding partner is a great opportunity to be a part of something special. Together, we are committed to ensuring everyone has access to the financial resources, tools and the support they need to achieve their dreams.”
The Ballers and Columbia Bank will bring the partnership to life through three core initiatives focused on creating lasting impact across Oakland.
Backing Community Champions
Columbia Bank will power Championship Wednesday, a season-long community ticket initiative designed to increase access to Ballers games.
Through this program, more than $20,000 in tickets will be distributed to Oakland youth organizations, schools, and neighborhood groups such as St. Vincent De Paul, Prescott Neighborhood Council, Boys & Girls Club of Oakland, Bruce Lee Foundation, Treeview Elementary in Hayward, Oakland Parks & Rec Youth Development, West Oakland Schools and the Oakland Unified School District.
Columbia Bank will also serve as the presenting partner of the first Championship Wednesday game on May 20.
Empowering Small Businesses
Columbia Bank will serve as the presenting partner of Scrappy’s Test Kitchen, one of the Ballers’ signature programs supporting emerging food entrepreneurs. Through this collaboration, local vendors will gain access to the Ballers’ in-ballpark food truck, which will help them grow, market, and launch their businesses.
Columbia Bank advisors will provide financial guidance and mentorship to participating entrepreneurs, addressing one of the biggest barriers for aspiring small business owners to enter the Bay Area market - the rising cost and expenses of starting a restaurant business.
Additionally, in April the Ballers and Columbia Bank will host a dedicated event at Raimondi Park celebrating local entrepreneurs, bringing together small business owners, partners, and community leaders for a chance to connect, network, and learn from one another’s experiences starting a business.
Advancing Financial Literacy
Through the partnership, Columbia Bank will also introduce a financial literacy initiative with the Ballers players during Spring Training. The program will focus on long-term financial planning, entrepreneurship, and career development, ensuring the players have access to the financial tools and resources to help them be successful beyond the game.
As the initiative evolves, it is expected to expand into the broader Oakland community through youth workshops, educational programming, and local partnerships that will showcase everyone’s financial journeys and achievements.
A New Model for Sports Partnerships
The Oakland Ballers continue to challenge the traditional model of sports sponsorship by prioritizing partnerships that deliver meaningful community impact. Rather than focusing solely on brand visibility, the organization seeks collaborators who are committed to investing in the city itself.
“This is what it looks like when a partner actually shows up for the community,” said Bryan Carmel, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of the Oakland Ballers. “We’re not interested in transactional relationships. We’re building something with people who want to help create opportunities in Oakland. Columbia Bank leaned into that in a real and meaningful way.”
From supporting local entrepreneurs through Scrappy’s Test Kitchen, to driving economic activity around Raimondi Park, the Ballers view the team as a platform for broader community growth.
This partnership with Columbia Bank reflects that vision in action, reinforcing the idea that the role of a sports team can extend far beyond the field.
