Alden Global Capital co-founder buys San Jose Earthquakes from John Fisher for $625M

Heath Freeman, co-founder of Alden Global Capital, is acquiring the San Jose Earthquakes from current owner John Fisher at an enterprise value of $625 million, according to two people familiar with the agreement. MLS owners approved Freeman's bid on Thursday, though the deal has not yet closed. Fisher originally paid a $20 million expansion fee for the club in 2007 and hired Moelis & Co. in June 2025 to manage the sale as he focused on relocating his MLB franchise to Las Vegas. Alden Global Capital, a New York-based private equity firm known primarily for acquiring newspapers through its Digital First Media arm, is described as the second-largest U.S. publisher behind USA Today Co.

Fisher paid a $20 million expansion fee for the team in 2007.
From Sportico

Why it matters

For brands: Sponsors and commercial partners of the Earthquakes will need to navigate a new ownership structure under Alden Global Capital.

For media: Alden's track record of aggressive cost-cutting at its newspaper properties may draw scrutiny as the firm expands into professional sports.

For athletes: Earthquakes players and staff face a change in ownership that could affect club investment and direction.

Read the full story at Sportico

Sources

Sportico · Kurt Badenhausen: MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes Sold to Alden’s Freeman for $625M
Front Office Sports · Ben Horney: A’s Owner John Fisher Exits MLS With $625M Earthquakes Deal
The Athletic: MLS's San Jose Earthquakes sold for $625 million to Heath Freeman
Yahoo Sports: John Fisher to sell San Jose Earthquakes, PayPal Park for $625M

the drop. summarizes reporting from the outlets above in our own words and links to the original. Every story is reviewed by the Goalpost 247 team before it goes live.