Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond - Tommy O'Hare: Getting San Jose Ready for the 2026 World Cup

Offside in the Bay goes behind the scenes of the 2026 World Cup build-up with Tommy O'Hare-1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a longtime sports-media/technology executive. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan tapped Tommy to lead the city's big-event planning-everything from fan experiences to funding to safety. Tommy breaks down what it takes to create a true ‘fan fest' environment, why community sentiment is often the biggest hurdle, and how San Jose's diversity, culture, and downtown energy can turn major sporting moments into something the whole region feels proud of. 🎙 Guest • Tommy O'Hare is a 1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a sports business executive working at the intersection of media and technology. • Experience: Built major streaming and digital platforms (including Olympic and pro sports initiatives) and brings big-event perspective to city planning. • Role: Leading San Jose's preparations for major events including the World Cup-funding, programming, fan experiences, and coordination. ⏱ Episode Highlights • [00:00:48] Meet Tommy O'Hare: Olympian turned "World Cup czar" for San Jose. • [00:01:48] The "boulder": how perception and skepticism can be the first obstacle to hosting big moments. • [00:02:13] From athlete to exec: Tommy's path through sports media, tech, and the Olympic digital world. • [00:03:55] What athletes want fans to understand: love of sport, sacrifice, and the goal behind the goal. • [00:04:33] Olympics vs. World Cup: different energy, different loyalties, same global magic. • [00:06:08] Building a playbook from the Super Bowl: concerts, sponsorships, and raising $5M+. • [00:07:18] The learning points: security, logistics, and scaling up from one weekend to a month-long event. • [00:16:34] Why watch parties matter: sport as community, connection, and culture. • [00:21:51] Safety planning at scale: 72 agencies working together inside the emergency operations center. • [00:23:39] Best part of the job: seeing residents proud of what the city can pull off. • [00:25:52] The promise: a watch party for every single World Cup game in San Jose. • [00:26:34] Practical tips: microclimates, no humidity, and how visitors can enjoy the city. ⚽ Why This Conversation Matters Episode 24 is a rare look at what it takes to ‘host the world.' Tommy O'Hare explains the real work behind the headlines-funding, planning, security, and community buy-in-while keeping the focus on what sports are supposed to do best: bring people together and leave a city better than it found it. 🔗 Connect with Us • Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong • Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban• San Jose World Cup / City initiatives - World Cup Santa Clara: FIFA World Cup 2026 at Levi Stadium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices