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Chet Soda

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– Business:
– Operated A. Soda & Sons and H & S Developers
– Owned/managing shopping centers, a trailer park, and golf course
– Owned two ranches raising Hereford cattle and thoroughbred horses
– Played a major role in developing the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Complex
– Instrumental in relocating the California Seals to Oakland

– Oakland Raiders:
– Founding partner in the Raiders
– Allegedly the source of the team’s original name, Oakland Senors
– Preferred naming the team the Oakland Mavericks
– Ridicule in the press led to a name change to Raiders
– Resigned as general manager after the 1960 season

– Government service:
– Member of the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners (1969-1980)
– Member of the California Horse Racing Board (1969-1977)
– Previously served on the board of directors of the Oakland Museum of California
– Active involvement in public service roles

– References:
– Trio Gains Control in Raiders Shakeup (1961)
– Berkley Vice President: New Port Officers Elected (1977)
– Grid Team Named– They’re Senors, with ridicule in the press
– Now It’s Hi, Raiders! (Bye, Senors) after name change
– Various references to Soda’s involvement in different boards and organizations

– Notable Contributions:
– Established businesses passed down from father
– Diversified business portfolio in real estate and ranching
– Significant role in sports team ownership and development
– Active participation in public service roles
– Impactful presence in the Oakland community and beyond

Chet Soda (Wikipedia)

Yster Charles "Chet" Soda (March 15, 1908 – March 12, 1989) was an American businessman who was the first general partner and general manager of the Oakland Raiders, an original franchise in the American Football League (AFL).

Chet Soda
refer to caption
Chet Soda in 1960
Personal information
Born:(1908-03-15)March 15, 1908
Oakland, California, U.S.
Died:March 12, 1989(1989-03-12) (aged 80)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Career history
As an executive:
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