By Mauricio Segura June 19, 2025
Photo: GBT Graphics
The San Jose Earthquakes are shaking things up. After nearly two decades under the Fisher family’s stewardship, the club has officially put the ball in play for new leadership. Major League Soccer today confirmed that a controlling interest in the club is up for grabs, with investment bank Moelis & Co. tapped to orchestrate the process.
This is not your average press release. For years, the Fisher family, spearheaded by John Fisher since 2008 alongside Lew Wolff, has steered the Earthquakes back onto the big stage. They resurrected the team after a brief hiatus, bankrolled the creation of PayPal Park, and deepened roots in Silicon Valley’s sporting tapestry. Now, as MLS Commissioner Don Garber highlighted, the mission is to identify new ownership that can build on this strong foundation and continue to elevate soccer in the Bay Area.
Let’s rewind a moment. San Jose’s soccer saga stretches back to 1974 in the NASL and then as a charter member of MLS in 1996. After relocating to Houston in 2006, the team returned in 2008, reinvented and determined. The Fisher and Wolff era saw two MLS playoff berths and a coveted Supporters’ Shield in 2012. The 18,000 seat PayPal Park, complete with steep-raked seating, a massive northeast bar, and a giant video board, opened in 2015 as a privately funded crown jewel.
In a statement filled with reflection, John Fisher looked back on nearly 20 years of Quakes life and expressed pride in how the club expanded soccer’s footprint across the Bay. Now, however, it is time for fresh energy and vision.
So what could come next? New owners bring new possibilities and plenty of questions. Will they double down on developing local academy talent? Push for bigger and bolder marketing tie-ups? Perhaps they will explore plans for stadium expansion or more high-profile fixtures. With the soccer boom in full swing, opportunities are everywhere.
MLS sees San Jose as vital to its ambitions. Garber praised the Fisher family’s world-class facilities and highly respected youth academy, calling the Bay Area one of the nation’s most dynamic markets. That is not just promotional talk. The region’s tech-fueled growth, coupled with soaring interest in the global game, means San Jose is poised for a major leap forward.
But ownership transitions can be tricky. Fans and stakeholders will want assurance that the club’s values such as community focus, youth development, and on-field competitiveness will not be lost in the shuffle. The right buyer must align not just financially but also culturally and strategically.
Amid this shift, the club’s on-field narrative continues to evolve. After closing 2024 with a disappointing bottom-of-the-league finish, the Earthquakes brought in legendary coach Bruce Arena late last year. That move signaled serious intent to rebound in 2025. With a new boss at the helm and potentially new owners on the horizon, the coming season promises drama both on and off the pitch.
Off the field, it is business as usual at PayPal Park. The club recently upgraded its ticketing partnership with Tixr, combining primary and resale markets into one streamlined system. This includes features like Tixr Wallet transfers and seat upgrades. In a nod to its roots, San Jose also celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, honoring half a century of competitive heritage dating back to the NASL era.
This sale marks a pivotal chapter in San Jose’s story. Whether the aim is deeper local engagement, faster youth development, or a bigger national profile, the stakes are high and expectations are even higher.
The Earthquakes stand at a crossroads. With Moelis & Co. guiding the sale, fans can expect a thorough process that could reshape the club’s identity for years to come. Whoever comes in next will inherit a passionate fanbase, an excellent stadium, and a rich legacy. They will also face the challenge of turning potential into progress in a city that is ready to rise again.
