Public statements are tricky things. They are often negotiated. Nobody wants to look bad. A party with the purest of intentions cares only about the truth. Another may require spin.
And so, this week the San Diego Mojo released a negotiated statement announcing the major league women’s volleyball team was folding. Some considered the statement confusing—particularly around the line, “The league believes a different direction is required.”
As president of the San Diego Mojo, I am likely less popular with Major League Volleyball than a chain smoker in the Intensive Care Unit. So, I will provide unnegotiated clarity.
First, we’ll start with the indisputable facts.
Mojo owner Gary Jacobs committed to building the Mojo the proper way for the 2028 season. To do so, the team needed to take one year off and not play in 2027. He expressed this to key MLV board members in late January/early February. More on that in a moment.
Jacobs informed the front office staff of his commitment of getting the Mojo right for 2028. He offered to continue employment for three key front office people to execute the plan. He further spoke to two additional revenue personnel about a reassignment, presumably to keep them nearby until a recall early in 2027.
Jacobs committed to paying all league dues for 2027 even though the team would be inactive.
He and I spoke specifically about the pacing and waypoints, marketing investment, investor pursuits, and the restaffing timelines.
“Are you ready to get to work?” he asked me.
“Yes, boss,” I said.
So that’s easy, right? Gary Jacobs was committed to achieving the gold-standard, and the team simply needed the lead up time none of the previous Mojo seasons afforded.
Now a pause: If you’ve read any of my other works, you know I’d rather scribe 800 words on why a chia can be considered a pet when it doesn’t require a litter box, or where does the gas one holds in go during a funeral mass? You know, topics about potty issues.
But doodie calls and I must write a disclaimer: I have no insight to MLV’s decision not allowing Jacobs to further invest in the Mojo and MLV.
(Also, before I continue, I must point out that bloggers and writers in California are robustly protected by the California Shield Law, California’s Anti-SLAPP Statute, Retraction Statutes, and the federal protection through 47 U.S.C. § 230. These all came in handy when I once referred to a porpoise as a dolphin; an entire pod was humiliated.)
So, don’t get any ideas, ya hear? Moving on.
Today I fielded two calls from reliable sources that MLV’s line to stakeholders and shareholders is that Jacobs stepped away from team ownership. This is false. There are 30-plus witnesses to Gary’s plan to properly vitalize the San Diego Mojo. So I don’t have to rely on a myriad of protections, I’ll say clearly this could be considered hearsay.
What is not hearsay, however, is that MLV wanted no mention in the team’s statement of Jacobs’ intent to significantly invest in the methodical building of a major league sports team. They demanded that language be removed and the statement reduced to essentially, “Team Folding, Free Tickets Thursday.”
It’s not hearsay as I was the witness to their preferred edits. If it can be proven that I was not a witness, it can be remedied without litigation behind California’s Retraction Statutes; I’ll just take it back.
Ok, I get it. “Knock off all the legal stuff, wiseass,” you say. But it’s hard to find an entertaining hook in a tale such as this, so-a-lawyering we shall go.
Opinion is protected under legal protections as well. And I have no intent to disparage a league. However, remember earlier my saying I’d get back to the idea that taking 2027 off to build for a better future? Well here goes. MLV has a history of current teams that have wisely not played a season to prepare properly for a business launch. One team took two years. And—I’m just speculating—a third example of precedent that Gary intended to execute could arise in the coming months.
This third example is purely speculative; nobody tells me anything around here. But speculative prose is protected in the Speculative Thoughts Act of 1977. Okay, I made that last one up.
So, this sets up a wait-and-see narrative on how MLV handles the San Diego market, who is involved, and the timing of it. I’m not sowing the seeds of cynicism; But, “The league believes a different direction is required” is in the MLV approved statement. It seems they have something in mind.
Regardless, this is how it gets left. Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs have lost a team they loved, and acquired in 2024 to save for their beloved San Diego.
My new novel, “Only For You, Babe” is set for release February 2027. It’s a dramedy about a fledgling sports league, amongst other things. It may even address as to why no one yet has found a solution to, when you drop a bagel, it always lands cream cheese side down.
Finally, I must disclose Gary Jacobs has not endorsed this article, any opinions are my own. And I am protected, on this point, by my impending unemployment.
The broken hearted Mojo graphic in the header was seen on a t-shirt of season holders at an event, a wonderful sentiment, and I regret I don’t know their names to give proper credit.
IDK 