Ken Hofmann

Kenneth Harry Hofmann

• School Saint Mary's College of California, United States Merchant Marine Academy
• High School Fremont High School (Oakland)

• Born February 15, 1923 in Oakland, CA USA
• Died April 22, 2018 in Lafayette, CA USA

Biographical Information

Ken Hoffman was the minority owner of the Oakland Athletics alongside Steve Schott from 1995 to 2005. Like Schott, he was a successful real estate developer in the Bay Area. Contrary to Schott, he already had experience in owning a major sports team, as co-owner of the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL from 1988 to 1997.

The sale of the Athletics was finalized on September 14, 1995, for a reported $85 million, with the two partners buying control from the estate of the late Walter Haas. They sold the team to Lewis Wolff in 2005. Their ownership tenure was a successful period for the up-and-down franchise, as they made the postseason numerous times. It was also during this period that the team hired Billy Beane as its general manager.

He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, earning veterans status. He supported a number of philanthropic causes during his lifetime, many of them linked to education and youth.

Further Reading

• Ken Hofmann, former A’s owner and developer, dies at 95
• Obituary