By Mauricio Segura May 23, 2025
Photo: GBT Graphics
When the roar of the crowd at the Coliseum meets the roar of a grizzly bear deep in the California Trail, something magical happens. This May, Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul SC officially welcomed the Oakland Zoo as their “Official Zoo and Wildlife Partner.” It’s more than just a catchy sponsorship. It’s a creative blending of soccer, wildlife conservation, and hometown pride.
The Oakland Zoo, nestled in the Grass Valley neighborhood since 1922, cares for more than 850 animals and welcomes nearly one million visitors each year. Known for its stellar animal welfare, conservation-first mission, and the largest wild-animal veterinary hospital in Northern California, the zoo has long been a community treasure. The partnership with Roots and Soul brings that legacy directly to soccer fans.
Oakland Roots VP Andrea Lepore didn’t mince words when celebrating the collaboration. She lauded the Zoo as “a valuable and vital asset providing a source of pride, fun, and education in our community,” affirming the club’s excitement for what this union promises. Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia echoed the sentiment, describing the alignment of two “like-minded organizations, both deeply committed to our city” as “a true win for everyone.”
The first taste of this alliance landed with “Zoo Night” on May 24 at the Coliseum for Roots fans and June 22 at Merritt College for the Soul supporters. These weren't run-of-the-mill events. Halftime featured the wildly popular stuffed-animal toss, a moment when plush giraffes and lions soared through the air to raucous applause. The Oakland Zoo set up interactive tables in the plaza and art gallery, inviting families to chat, learn about wildlife, and snag special edition “Roots & Soul” trading cards. The cards spotlighted local flora and fauna, including the western pygmy blue butterfly and the black crowned night heron.
Scroll through social media and the buzz is electric. The Zoo’s Instagram teased “Fur, feathers, and fútbol,” a perfect summary of the hybrid atmosphere. Meanwhile, LinkedIn posts from the Zoo’s marketing manager brimmed with community enthusiasm. Giant mosaic giraffes crafted by Tianyu Arts & Culture were installed at the Coliseum, serving as giant photo ops. Add in trading card giveaways, photo kiosks with animals at the Zoo itself, and the all-around thrill of interactive halves, and you’ve got events that feel part sports match, part kinship celebration.
What makes this alliance feel particularly authentic is its foundation in shared mission. Both Oakland Zoo and Roots and Soul carry a deep respect for the city and its people. The Zoo, operated by the Conservation Society of California, invests in wildlife conservation and leads education efforts locally and abroad. Roots and Soul have built their ethos around using sport for social good, launching initiatives like the Justice Fund modeled after Common Goal, and developing grassroots youth programs.
This partnership is more than halftime entertainment. It’s a platform for engaging the broader community in conservation and social impact. With tables at the stadium and exchange of knowledge through trading cards and in-game activations, each event becomes a learning opportunity, highlighting wildlife protection alongside fandom.
What’s next? While the May and June “Zoo Nights” are already in the books, expect the collaboration to evolve. With Roots and Soul now based at high profile venues, the Coliseum for the men’s side and Merritt College for the women’s, this partnership offers fertile ground to grow. Could we see themed matchdays featuring Native American cultural celebrations or behind the scenes zoo visits for youth teams? That’s exactly the kind of creative fusion Oakland has come to expect.
In a city defined by cultural fusion and grassroots spirit, the merging of soccer and wildlife is a perfect projection of Oakland’s identity: playful, purposeful, and ever surprising. For families, fans, and conservationists alike, the promise of cheering for a goal and glimpsing native wildlife trivia between innings or more aptly, halves, is delightfully irresistible.
In the end, this isn’t just a partnership. It’s a statement. Oakland thrives when its institutions play together. When the Zoo and Roots and Soul align their values, imagination follows. And that’s precisely the kind of magic that makes this city roar, whether you hear it from the stadium stands or the call of the wild deep in the hills.
