Alden Capital Buys San Jose Earthquakes

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Alden Capital Buys San Jose Earthquakes

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Alden Global Capital co‑founder Heath Freeman has agreed to purchase the San Jose Earthquakes for an enterprise value of $625 million. MLS owners approved Freeman’s bid on Thursday, but the deal has not yet closed. John Fisher, who paid a $20 million expansion fee for the club in 2007, hired Moelis & Co. in June 2025 to sell the team as he transitioned his MLB franchise from Oakland to Las Vegas. The Earthquakes ranked 23rd in Sportico’s MLS team valuations at $585 million. Moelis served as the exclusive financial advisor, while Katten, Munchen and Rosenman, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom acted as legal counsel for the Earthquakes; Sidley Austin represented Freeman. The sale comes amid other MLS club sales, including CF Montréal and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Published 2026-11-14 02:16:23 UTC · Published by JQJO

Published by JQJO Editorial Desk · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On January 1 2007 John Fisher paid twenty‑million expansion fee for Earthquakes.
On April 1 2026 MLS owners approved sale of Earthquakes to Heath Freeman.
On April 1 2026 Sale agreement reached for Earthquakes at six‑hundred‑twenty‑five million.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: Ownership change may alter local fan engagement and club operations Possible long-term US impact: Potential shifts in MLS market dynamics and investment patterns Most affected groups: San Jose fans, club employees, MLS stakeholders Reader priority: Understanding ownership transition and financial implications

Coverage notes

Center: Coverage from The New York Times, Field Level Media, espn.com frames this as a developing news story: Alden Capital Buys San Jose Earthquakes. Reporting emphasizes verified facts, named sources, and near-term impact for readers. Left: Left-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize public impact, institutional accountability, and who is most affected. Right: Right-leaning desks covering the same development typically emphasize practical outcomes, market or security stakes, and institutional response.