Tommy Hodul has one job: tell Oakland's story. It just happens to be through the lens of soccer.

In Episode 110 of the Because Football Podcast, we talk with Tommy Hodul, VP of Communications for Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul. He's a fan who became a club leader who's been doing it since day one — and what an incredible story it is!

The key to this conversation lies in the role of the club in their community - a unique case among American soccer clubs that can sometime feel like they're on the periphery of local identity.

Oakland Roots was built on a purpose statement — harness the magic of Oakland and the power of sports as a force for social good — and Tommy's job is to make sure every story they tell actually earns that.

We get into what it took to draw the 7th-largest crowd in USL history (spoiler: free tickets for Oakland Public School kids, a minute's applause for Rickey Henderson, Too $hort at halftime, and a blessing from Ohlone elders). We talk about why transparency builds trust faster than spin ever could. And we dig into what it actually looks like inside a PR and comms operation week-to-week — the rhythm of game day, the weight of a coaching change, the art of telling a story that lands with a city as proud and protective as Oakland.

This conversation will show you how to extend a love of place into a love of a club - and you'll be better for it.

Connect with Tommy and Oakland Roots & Soul here:

https://www.oaklandrootssc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/oaklandroots

Connect with Because Football here:

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⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/⁠

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/⁠

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/⁠

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