Warren G Joins Ownership Group of Long Beach Baseball Club

The Long Beach Baseball Club (LBBC) today announced that rapper, songwriter, record producer, and DJ Warren G, widely credited with popularizing the West Coast Hip Hop sound and pioneering the G-Funk style, is joining the club’s ownership group.

For Warren Griffin III, known worldwide as Warren G, the move is both a homecoming and an opportunity to bring something new to Long Beach. Inspired by the community-first approach of the Oakland Ballers, a standout franchise in the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL), Warren G is committed to helping create an independent professional baseball experience that reflects the city’s energy, culture, and diversity.

“This is more than just owning part of a team, it’s about giving back to my city,” said Warren G. “Long Beach shaped me, and I want to help build something positive for the next generation. Baseball brings people together, and that’s what I’m all about.”

The Long Beach Baseball Club is developing a game-day experience that blends baseball with the city’s unique culture. Fans can expect an atmosphere that celebrates Long Beach through music, food, and community events, with potential for special performances, collaborative merchandise, and celebrity appearances. Warren G’s love of cooking and his Sniffin Griffin’s BBQ brand may also play a role in enhancing the ballpark experience.

The LBBC is backed by Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP), whose co-founders also have ownership ties to the Oakland Ballers. The team is working with the City of Long Beach and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to make Blair Field the club’s home, with a goal of beginning play in the 2026 Pioneer Baseball League season.

“Warren brings not only star power, but a genuine commitment to community,” said Paul Freedman, co-founder of IBP and CEO & co-founder of the Oakland Ballers. “He shares our vision of baseball as a way to bring people together, and we’re thrilled to have him as part of the Long Beach Baseball Club family.”

The addition of Warren G to the ownership group underscores LBBC’s mission to create a joyful, inclusive, and family-friendly baseball experience for Long Beach.

About the Pioneer Baseball League

Founded in 1939, the Pioneer Baseball League is an MLB Partner League operating independently across the Western United States. With 12 teams and growing, the PBL is a proving ground for rising talent and a vital thread in the fabric of local communities. Though independent from Major League Baseball, the PBL collaborates with MLB on initiatives that support player development and visibility.

Current PBL Franchises

• California: Oakland Ballers, Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers
• Montana: Glacier Range Riders, Great Falls Voyagers, Billings Mustangs, Missoula PaddleHeads
• Idaho: Boise Hawks, Idaho Falls Chukars
• Colorado: Grand Junction Jackalopes, Rocky Mountain Vibes, Colorado Springs Sky Sox
• Utah: Ogden Raptors

The potential addition of the Long Beach Baseball Club would mark a significant step in the league’s West Coast expansion and bring high-level independent baseball to a city known for its deep community ties and love of the game.