I’m not going to the Warriors ground-breaking ceremony.
This isn’t some dramatic protest of the move to San Francisco. This isn’t a shot at the Warriors, per se, or knock on the ownership. It is but a conscious choice to not be involved in the celebration of what they assuredly see as an achievement.
This is about siding with the frustrated and angry fans who can’t shake the sting. This is about being in unison with those who don’t see the Warriors’ move as a good thing, just one last, final slap in the face.
This is about those who proudly represent the East Bay culture in this Bay Area civil rivalry, especially those who carry a flag for Oakland, and sees this as a major blow.
For the record, I fully support the Warriors’ right to move their team where they want. When Joe Lacob won the bid to buy the Warriors, it was clear where this was headed.
What’s more, I have respect and appreciation for this Chase Center project. I think how Lacob went about this, privately financing his arena and taking all the burden on himself, is how this should be done. It is a great example of modern ownership, assuming all of the risk since he will reap all of the rewards when the franchise value bubbles.
On top of that, I will concede the Warriors haven’t been as heartless about this transition as they could have been. As an organization, they have at least been mindful of the anger their move is causing. There are people inside the Warriors organization who feel what Oaklanders feel, even some who disagree with the move.
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The Warriors have stepped up their donations to Oakland community organizations, been cognizant about what they say publicly knowing there are feelings involved. They seek input from Oakland natives, including myself. They even held the championship parade in Oakland and were ready to do it again had they won last year. There is talk of an Oakland jersey or Oakland-centered merchandise coming.
Those levels of appeasement are acknowledged. Yet, they are but concessions in a painful break up. And since I know many are upset over what the reality of this groundbreaking drives home, I don’t want to be at the engagement party between the Warriors and San Francisco.
Full disclosure: I wasn’t compelled by my employers to be there. It probably wouldn’t have changed anything as they would have gotten this same pitch. And even if they insisted, and I found myself at the Chase Center celebration, these were the words that would have come out. Because I have the same chip most of us have in Oakland and on this side of the Bay.
For decades, the Warriors have refused to acknowledge our city. Years ago, during the previous ownership, I asked why they weren’t the Oakland Warriors. Years ago, after they introduced the retro San Francisco jerseys, I asked why there were no Oakland uniforms. Each time, they gave the same answer: our fans are all over the Bay Area. “We have season ticket holders in Walnut Creek and Concord” … “We have to think about our fans in the South Bay” … “We’ve been Golden State for so long, why change?” … Blah. Blah. Blah.
Translation: Oakland is too violent, too ghetto and too ugly and we don’t want to share in that brand. Even where the stadium is located – deep East Oakland, where the undesired grime and ruggedness is the décor – is deemed unfit for such a glamorous team.
For 50 years, Oakland has embraced the Warriors. This city was the refuge back when San Francisco didn’t support the Warriors and then-owner Franklin Mieuli was ready to bounce to San Diego. This region, with its rough edges and bent on loyalty, made the Warriors relevant when the franchise wasn’t shiny enough to attract San Francisco’s wealth. Oakland made the Warriors. The East Bay made the Warriors.
So even though the grass might be financially greener in San Francisco, the theme is common: this area isn’t good enough. This is about business, no doubt, Lacob maximizing his investment. It’s about getting money. The problem with that is, the fans’ dedication wasn’t about money. It was personal. It always will be. Business decisions don’t go over well in personal relationships. And when you chose the girl across the street, it really hurts. You have to be from here to understand why San Francisco is that.
Perhaps this is an overly sensitive point of view. So what.
That same sensitivity is why Oracle was rocking for Run TMC and We Believe. Why people lined up for free tickets on Chris Mullin Buzz Cut night. Why people have rocked Warriors gear as premiere fashion for the three-plus decades I have been alive.
The arena will no doubt will be nice. Many from the East Bay will venture over and have a great time. Many don’t share in this particular conviction. That’s cool.
But today, I’m siding with those who are hurt by having their beloved team snatched from them, only to be dangled where they can still see it.
Today, while the Warriors celebrated their hard-fought achievement, I’d rather chill with those who see this as an elite takeover – who invested into the Warriors and whose interest makes this team cool and hip and popular enough for the ownership to go make a killing on the Silicon Valley crowd.
Today, I choose not to act like the Warriors moving to San Francisco is a great thing.
Oakland. This is for you.