Portland, Ore.: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) partners with the Oregon Blackbears Arena Football Team, marking a historic collaboration as the first Black-owned football team in the Salem Pavilion Arena. The first preseason game is on April 20, followed by the inaugural home game on April 27 against the Washington Wolf Pack.
FourSight Strategic Investments leads the ownership group for the Blackbears, and the franchise is managed by newly hired President & Chief Operating Officer and former University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion Pat Johnson. “It is a dream come true to work with the Blackbears organization in its inaugural season. Fulfilling my dream of having the opportunity to give back to Oregon in this manner where my football career blossomed, brings me immense happiness and humility,” says Johnson.
The Arena Football League (AFL) is returning after being absent from the area since 2019, with 16 teams announced earlier this year, including Oregon and others like Iowa Rampage, Wichita Regulators, Salina Liberty, Southwest Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, Albany Firebirds, Orlando Predators, Billings Outlaws, and the West Texas Desert Hawks.
“We’re thrilled to bring Arena Football back to the great state of Oregon and the Salem community,” says Justin Butler, FourSight Strategic Investments Partner. “We know that there has been some time since the sport has been played here but we’re building a team based on community involvement, fan engagement and a family atmosphere.”
A portion of pre-season tickets are free in a partnership between the Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) and the Blackbears. “A Black-owned arena football team is significant for Oregon because it promotes diversity, representation, and economic empowerment within the sports industry,” says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the BBAO. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to contribute to advancing underrepresented communities in the sports industry and promoting positive social change.”
The Oregon Blackbears are thrilled to offer various sponsorship opportunities tailored to fit any brand’s objectives and budget with partnership packages designed to maximize brand exposure, connect with fans in meaningful ways, and engage with the vibrant community of Oregon and beyond. Key opportunities include premier, in-game, media exposure, community engagement, and exclusive hospitality sponsorships.
For tickets, visit oregonblackbears.com, and for more information on sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected]“>[email protected] or call (971) 208-5166.
About The Oregon BlackBears: The Oregon Blackbears are an Arena Football League (AFL) franchise that plays its home games at the Salem Fairgrounds. For more information, visit https://oregonblackbears.com
About Black Business Association of Oregon: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization striving to achieve economic equity that is sustainable and lasting for Black-owned businesses in Oregon. For more information, visit bbaoregon.org.
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