
Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots Sports Club announced today that they have formalized a multi-year, purpose-driven partnership with Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem). Anthem will serve as Oakland Roots official health care benefits partner and as Roots Inaugural USL Championship Front of Jersey Sponsor. The agreement represents the first jersey sponsorship secured by Roots since earning formal entry into the USL.
“We are excited to enter into this agreement which will see Roots proudly wear the Anthem logo on the front of our home and away Puma game jerseys. Anthem shares our commitment to increasing awareness for critical health challenges and connecting our communities with resources to help them learn healthy behaviors and to get active,” said Roots Chief Revenue Officer Steven Powell.
The partnership will run from Roots inaugural season in the USL Championship through the 2023 season.
Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots Sports Club announced today that they have formalized a multi-year, purpose-driven partnership with Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem). Anthem will serve as Oakland Roots official health care benefits partner and as Roots Inaugural USL Championship Front of Jersey Sponsor. The agreement represents the first jersey sponsorship secured by Roots since earning formal entry into the USL.
“We are excited to enter into this agreement which will see Roots proudly wear the Anthem logo on the front of our home and away Puma game jerseys. Anthem shares our commitment to increasing awareness for critical health challenges and connecting our communities with resources to help them learn healthy behaviors and to get active,” said Roots Chief Revenue Officer Steven Powell.
The partnership will run from Roots inaugural season in the USL Championship through the 2023 season.



“We are thrilled to support and partner with Oakland Roots as they embark on their inaugural season in the USL Championship,” said Beth Andersen, President of Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plans. “Together we will bring a unique reach into the region and we look forward to collaborating on a variety of health and wellness programs aimed at making the community a healthier place to live.”
The partnership is founded on the shared goals of Anthem and Roots to help bring physical and mental health support and services to communities as they recover from the pandemic. Both pledged to jointly support efforts aimed at making a measurable impact through education, awareness and community health and wellness engagement initiatives.
“We are thrilled to support and partner with Oakland Roots as they embark on their inaugural season in the USL Championship,” said Beth Andersen, President of Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plans. “Together we will bring a unique reach into the region and we look forward to collaborating on a variety of health and wellness programs aimed at making the community a healthier place to live.”
The partnership is founded on the shared goals of Anthem and Roots to help bring physical and mental health support and services to communities as they recover from the pandemic. Both pledged to jointly support efforts aimed at making a measurable impact through education, awareness and community health and wellness engagement initiatives.



“We will ‘kick off’ our partnership in May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, with a focus on the need to support the mental wellbeing of our youth who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 and the lack of social interaction and support,” said Powell. “These challenges have been especially acute in communities of color that have been severely under-resourced. We’re looking forward to working with Anthem to make a significant difference in the lives of families in Oakland and the Bay Area.”
“We will ‘kick off’ our partnership in May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, with a focus on the need to support the mental wellbeing of our youth who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 and the lack of social interaction and support,” said Powell. “These challenges have been especially acute in communities of color that have been severely under-resourced. We’re looking forward to working with Anthem to make a significant difference in the lives of families in Oakland and the Bay Area.”
About Anthem Blue Cross:
Anthem Blue Cross has been serving the health insurance needs of California residents since 1937. Anthem Blue Cross, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 8.8 million health plan members in California and offers members a vast network of more than 65,000 care providers. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com/ca. Also, follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.
About Anthem Blue Cross:
Anthem Blue Cross has been serving the health insurance needs of California residents since 1937. Anthem Blue Cross, together with its branded affiliates, provides health care services to more than 8.8 million health plan members in California and offers members a vast network of more than 65,000 care providers. Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com/ca. Also, follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.