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Stephen Schott
Stephen Schott
Stephen Schott
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Stephen C. Schott (born 1939) is an American real estate developer and businessman, best known for his ten-year co-ownership of the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Key Information

Early life and education

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Schott was born to a Roman Catholic family in Santa Clara, California in 1939. His father was a part-time professor at Santa Clara University and then worked as an engineer in the public works department for the city of Santa Clara.[1] As a youth, Schott worked in the local fruit orchards and sold prunes from the trees on his father's property. At the age of 16, he began working on road survey crews.[1] He attended the Bellarmine College Preparatory School and then, after qualifying on a partial baseball scholarship, graduated in 1960 from Santa Clara University with a degree in business and management.[1] Both schools now bear buildings in his name (see Stephen Schott Stadium). After school, he joined the Army, and then when he completed his service, he took an accounting job with Ford Motor Company in Milpitas, California. After one year, he took a job with a home builder.[1]

Career

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In 1977, he and several partners formed Citation Builders, a real-estate and residence-development company; in 1988 he bought out his partners' shares, reformed the company as a family-run business, Citation Homes Central, and moved it to Santa Clara, California. Despite employing fewer than 25 people, Citation is now one of the largest homebuilders in the state of California, and has been responsible for the construction of over 50,000 individual residences.

Ownership of the Oakland Athletics

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In 1995, he and partner Ken Hofmann purchased the Oakland Athletics from the Walter A. Haas Jr. estate. Under their patronage, general manager Billy Beane's novel management and player-procurement strategies allowed the A's, though a "small-market" club, to make the post-season playoffs despite being restricted by financially limited budgets. Beane's approach to obtaining success within Schott's constraints was documented in Michael Lewis's book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. Schott appears as a character in the 2011 film adaptation Moneyball, played by Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.[2]

Schott and Hofmann sold the A's to a group of Los Angeles real estate developers, headed by Lewis Wolff, in 2005.

Life and career after Major League Baseball

[edit]

In 2003, Santa Clara University began to develop plans to build a new baseball field, allowing their nationally recognized soccer team unrestricted access to pre-existing Buck Shaw Stadium. The project floundered under lack of funds until Schott donated $4 million, over half the stadium's total cost. The resulting facility—the Stephen Schott Stadium—opened April 30, 2005, with a game against Gonzaga University.

Personal life

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Stephen Schott and his wife Patricia have three children: Lisa Schott, Stephen E. Schott Jr. and Kristen Schott.[3] His son Stephen Schott Jr. is slated to take over the Citation Homes business. Reclusive by nature, Schott avoids the public eye, and a true estimate of his total net worth has not been released.

References

[edit]
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Stephen Schott

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Stephen C. Schott (born 1939) is an American real estate developer, homebuilder, and former team owner, renowned for co-founding Citation Homes and serving as managing general partner of the from 1995 to 2005. Over his five-decade career, Schott has been instrumental in developing more than 40,000 residential homes in , establishing himself as a prominent figure in the region's housing industry. His tenure with the Athletics, during which the team achieved playoff success including an division title in 2000, also brought him national recognition, including a portrayal in the 2011 film Moneyball. Born in , Schott grew up in a modest family; his father was a part-time professor at the University of Santa Clara (now ). He attended on a partial , graduating in 1960 with a degree in after pitching for the Broncos team. Following graduation, Schott briefly served in the U.S. military before entering the workforce as an accountant at and later advancing to executive roles in homebuilding firms. In 1976, Schott co-founded Citation Homes with Wayne Valley, transforming it into one of Northern California's leading homebuilding companies after assuming sole ownership in 1986 following Valley's death. As CEO of Citation Homes Central and owner of S.C.S. Development Company and Award Homes, he oversaw expansive residential projects across the . Schott's business acumen earned him accolades, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business in 1989 and induction into the Association of Distinguished Americans in 2001. Schott's foray into sports ownership began in 1995 when he and partner Ken Hofmann purchased the Oakland Athletics from the estate of Walter A. Haas Jr. for $85 million, committing to keep the franchise in Oakland. During his decade as managing general partner, the A's developed a reputation for innovative, low-budget success under general manager Billy Beane, culminating in four playoff appearances and the 2002 "Moneyball" era, highlighted by a 20-game winning streak. He sold majority control to Lewis Wolff in 2005 while retaining a minority stake. A dedicated philanthropist, Schott and his wife, , have supported and youth programs, founding initiatives like the and Read to Exceed programs that have aided over 15,000 students. Their contributions to include funding the Stephen Schott Stadium in 2005 and the Patricia A. and Stephen C. Schott Admission and Enrollment Services Building in 2012; Schott was inducted into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2022, he published his autobiography, Long Schott: Building Homes, Dreams, and Baseball Teams, reflecting on his multifaceted career.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Stephen C. Schott was born in 1939 in , into a Catholic that valued and hard work. His parents encouraged a strong sense of responsibility from an early age, fostering an environment where self-reliance was paramount despite the family's modest circumstances. Schott's father initially worked as a part-time at the University of Santa Clara before transitioning to a career as an in the city's department. The family relocated several times during his youth, eventually settling in a home surrounded by trees, which reflected their unassuming lifestyle in the agricultural heart of the . This background instilled in Schott a deep appreciation for manual labor and perseverance, shaping his lifelong work ethic. As a young boy, Schott took on jobs in the local fruit orchards, harvesting prunes, pears, and walnuts, and even selling prunes from the trees on his father's property to contribute to the household. By age 16, he joined road survey crews, gaining hands-on experience in physical work that reinforced the family's emphasis on independence and earning one's way. During this period, Schott also developed an early interest in , which would influence his later pursuits.

Academic and athletic education

Schott attended , a Jesuit high school in , where he excelled in as a star pitcher, earning recognition on the San Jose All-City team twice and as player of the year in his senior year. His family's Roman Catholic background influenced the choice of Bellarmine for his . Schott then enrolled at Santa Clara University in 1956 on a partial baseball scholarship, where he earned a B.A. in business administration in 1960. During his college years, he played as a pitcher for the Santa Clara Broncos baseball team, contributing to the program's development and later being inducted into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 for his athletic achievements. Following graduation, Schott served in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s, an experience that provided structure amid his career uncertainties. Upon his discharge, he began his professional life with an entry-level accounting position at in , before transitioning after one year to a role with a local home builder, gaining foundational experience in business operations and .

Professional career

Real estate development with Citation Homes

In 1976, Stephen Schott co-founded Citation Homes with partner Wayne Valley, leveraging his experience in the homebuilding industry to establish a firm focused on in . Drawing on his business degree from , Schott applied strategic financial and operational principles to the venture's early decisions. Following Valley's death in 1986, Schott acquired full ownership and reformed the company as Citation Homes Central, relocating its headquarters to Santa Clara and expanding its scope as a family-oriented enterprise. Under Schott's leadership, Citation Homes Central grew into one of the largest homebuilders in , emphasizing residential options amid the region's rising demand. The company prioritized developments in the Bay Area, constructing single-family homes, townhouses, and multifamily units tailored to middle- and lower-income families, which helped address local housing shortages while maintaining quality craftsmanship. By the early 2000s, the firm had been involved in building over 30,000 residences across , contributing significantly to Schott's wealth accumulation through consistent revenue from land acquisition, construction, and sales. As of 2025, Citation Homes Central, operating under SCS Development Company, continues active operations with Stephen Schott serving as CEO and his son, Stephen E. Schott Jr., positioned as successor and current operational leader. This enduring focus on Bay Area housing has solidified the company's role in regional development, establishing Schott's real estate endeavors as the cornerstone of his business legacy.

Ownership of the Oakland Athletics

In 1995, Steve Schott and business partner acquired the from the estate for $85 million, securing the franchise with a commitment to keep it in Oakland for at least a decade. The purchase was funded primarily through profits from their real estate ventures, marking Schott's entry into ownership. This acquisition ended the Haas family's 15-year stewardship of the team, during which it had won four pennants. During their ownership from 1995 to 2005, Schott and Hofmann managed the Athletics amid financial challenges, including operating out of the aging Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum and adhering to MLB's revenue-sharing constraints. They adopted a low-payroll strategy, ranking among the league's lowest spenders—often below $50 million annually—while prioritizing cost-effective player acquisitions and development. A pivotal element was Schott's support for general manager Billy Beane's data-driven "Moneyball" approach, which emphasized analytics to identify undervalued talent through metrics like on-base percentage over traditional scouting. This strategy yielded remarkable success, with the Athletics making four consecutive playoff appearances from 2000 to 2003, including American League West division titles in 2000, 2002, and 2003. Despite these achievements, the team lost in the AL Division Series each year, falling short of a pennant. Schott's tenure also involved controversies, including disputes with Oakland and Alameda County officials over stadium leases and development plans—such as a 1999 demand for lease extension and a failed relocation proposal to —and criticism for the team's frugality, which drew fan discontent despite on-field success. In 2005, they sold the Athletics to a group led by for approximately $180 million, realizing a substantial return on their investment while transitioning the franchise to new stewardship.

Philanthropy and later career

Contributions to Santa Clara University

Stephen Schott has made significant contributions to his alma mater, (SCU), through substantial financial gifts and long-term leadership roles focused on enhancing its athletic facilities and programs. In 2004, he provided a lead gift of $4 million toward the construction of the Stephen Schott Stadium, a 1,500-seat facility that serves as the home field for the SCU Broncos . The stadium opened on April 30, 2005, and has since become one of the premier venues in the West, reflecting Schott's own history as a on the Broncos during his undergraduate years. In collaboration with his wife, Patricia, Schott extended his support to broader athletic infrastructure with a $15 million lead gift announced in November 2018 for the Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center. This state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2021, provides advanced training and performance spaces for SCU's 21 varsity sports programs, elevating the university's competitive capabilities and development. Additionally, the Schotts funded the construction of the Patricia A. and Stephen C. Schott Admission and Enrollment Services Building, a key campus hub that supports undergraduate recruitment and enrollment efforts. Schott's philanthropy at SCU also includes support enabling the attendance of 17 family members, including children, nieces, nephews, and in-laws, underscoring his commitment to the institution's educational mission. Since 1988, he has served on the SCU Board of Trustees, where he has played a pivotal role in overseeing the growth and management of the university's athletic programs.

Establishment of the Schott Foundation

The C. & A. Schott Foundation was formed in the 1990s as a private family foundation headquartered in , with (EIN) 94-3192795. It obtained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the in January 1995, enabling it to operate as a nonprofit dedicated to charitable giving. The foundation primarily provides general assistance grants supporting , , and community initiatives, with a particular emphasis on Catholic organizations and causes in the Bay Area that reflect the family's commitment to faith-based and local values. For instance, it has directed substantial funding to Catholic educational institutions, including a $200,000 grant to in San Jose for general support in 2022 and contributions to . Additional grants have bolstered community programs, such as aid to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the for youth development activities that encompass and . In 2022, the foundation disbursed $1,745,310 in contributions, gifts, and grants paid. The foundation supports key initiatives in education and youth development, including the program, which provides elementary school mentoring, and Read to Exceed, which rewards students and teachers for reading a prescribed number of books with incentives like free tickets to sporting events. These programs have aided over 15,000 students. As of the year 2023, the foundation remains active, with IRS Form 990-PF filings confirming ongoing operations and contributions exceeding $1.7 million in charitable disbursements for that year.

Personal life and legacy

Family and personal privacy

Stephen C. Schott has been married to Patricia A. Schott since the early years of his career, and the couple has jointly supported various educational initiatives, including funding facilities at . Patricia A. Schott received an honorary of public service from in 2013. The Schotts have three children: Lisa A. Treadwell, Stephen E. Schott Jr., and Kristen Schott Bowes. Stephen E. Schott Jr. serves as an executive at Citation Homes, the family-founded real estate firm. The Schott family maintains deep connections to , Schott's , with no fewer than 17 family members—including children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and in-laws—having attended the institution over the years. This longstanding affiliation underscores the family's commitment to the university's values and community. Known for his reclusive nature, Schott has largely avoided public media appearances and personal disclosures throughout his professional life, residing quietly in .

Autobiography and honors

In 2022, Stephen Schott published his memoir Long Schott: Building Homes, Dreams, and Baseball Teams, co-authored with , which chronicles his successes in , ownership, and . The book, described as a story of perseverance and achievement, became a top-selling biography on Amazon. Themes in the memoir draw briefly from his experiences as co-owner of the , reflecting on challenges and triumphs in . To celebrate the release, Schott held a book-signing event on June 23, 2022, at Santa Clara University's Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center, where he highlighted the crucial role of and friends in his journey. The event underscored the personal support networks that shaped his path from modest beginnings to notable accomplishments. Schott's contributions have earned him several prestigious honors, including induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014, recognizing his prowess as a for the Broncos team during his student years and his ongoing philanthropy toward the university. He was also inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, honored for his standout at Santa Clara, his ownership of the , and his philanthropic efforts in the region. Additionally, in 2001, Schott became a member of the Association of Distinguished Americans, celebrated for his rags-to-riches narrative as a self-made entrepreneur who rose from humble origins to build a successful empire and give back generously to and community causes. As of 2025, Schott's legacy endures as that of a self-made businessman and major donor, particularly to his , where facilities like Schott Stadium and the Schott Athletic Excellence Center bear his name in tribute to his transformative gifts.

References

  1. https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/stephen-c-schott/
  2. https://www.mychf.org/schott-stephen-c
  3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Steve_Schott
  4. https://www.amazon.com/Long-Schott-Building-Dreams-Baseball/dp/1629379778
  5. https://www.scu.edu/athletics/broncobench/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-inductees/schott-steve/
  6. https://www.scu.edu/news-and-events/feature-stories/2022/stories/new-autobiography-by-steve-schott-60-celebrated-at-scu.html
  7. https://sjsa.org/steve-schott/
  8. https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/09/13/bellarmine-college-prep-in-san-jose-dedicates-two-new-buildings/
  9. https://santaclarabroncos.com/honors/santa-clara-athletics-hall-of-fame/stephen-scott/99
  10. https://www.scu.edu/aboutscu/leadership/board-of-trustees/
  11. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/10/01/citation-homes-buys-san-jose-toys-r-us-site-for.html
  12. https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/santa-clara/profile/home-builders/s-c-s-development-co-1216-196225
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/15/sports/sale-of-the-a-s-is-approved.html
  14. https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Haas-family-concludes-sale-of-A-s-to-developers-3139978.php
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-26-sp-24453-story.html
  16. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1995/01/26/Franchises/SCHOTT-HOFMANN-EARN-AS-OLD-FASHIONED-WAY-THEY-BUY-THEM/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3496460/2022/08/13/steve-schott-moneyball-billy-beane/
  18. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-Demands-A-s-Deal-Extension-Officials-2908583.php
  19. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/investors-out-of-as-deal/
  20. https://www.athleticsnation.com/f/2012/4/18/2958535/territorial-rights-a-not-so-brief-history
  21. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2005/03/28/daily41.html
  22. https://university-operations.scu.edu/facilities/space-data/building-information/schott-stadium/
  23. https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2004/01/26/daily54.html
  24. https://santaclarabroncos.com/news/2019/2/8/2_8_2019_1982.aspx
  25. https://santaclarabroncos.com/facilities/stephen-c-and-patricia-a-schott-athletic-excellence-center/9
  26. https://www.scu.edu/news-and-events/press-releases/2018/november-2018/athletic-excellence-on-the-rise.html
  27. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943192795
  28. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=SCHO110
  29. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943192795/202431359349105808/full
  30. https://www.scu.edu/news-and-events/press-releases/2013/april-2013/leon-panetta-former-us-defense-secretary-and-cia-director-to-speak-at-santa-clara-university-commencement-june-15.html
  31. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/candce/3:2008cv05097/208675/150/
  32. https://gilroydispatch.com/task-force-criticizes-plan/
  33. https://www.losaltosonline.com/news/schott-reminisces-about-his-nine-plus-years-as-owner-of-mlb-team/article_cfc8ac6d-02bf-5646-b706-e646b1021d67.html
  34. https://magazine.scu.edu/magazines/fall-2022/long-schott/
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