By Beth Schnitzer –
November has a way of bringing sports to life in every corner of the Bay Area. This month took me courtside and community-side—from Pride Night at Chase Center to a powerful San Jose Sports Hall of Fame celebration and major news from the Bay Area Host Committee as we prepare to welcome Super Bowl LX. And that was just the beginning.
Golden State Warriors Pride Night: Above the Rim, Beyond the Moment
This Pride Night was especially meaningful— it was my first time covering the Golden State Warriors as accredited media, and I couldn’t have asked for a more moving introduction.
Before tip-off, I attended Above the Rim, a panel sponsored by Accenture and led by their Chief Diversity Officer. The panelists were remarkable trailblazers:
• Danielle Thoe, cofounder of Rikki’s Women’s Sports Bar;
• Jonathan Romer, the first male member of the 49ers Gold Rush cheerleading squad;
• Chris Mosier, groundbreaking transgender athlete and advocate.
Their insights were heartfelt and deeply resonant.
Chris spoke about “resistance through joy,” which struck a chord amid the heaviness of the world today—that joy itself can be activism, community care, and forward motion. Jonathan shared that he grew up with no role models in cheerleading, yet through courage and authenticity he has now become one, opening doors for a new generation of young male cheerleaders.
Danielle emphasized sustaining a movement beyond the moment, and the importance of taking up space with confidence. “Reward yourself for showing up,” she reminded us—whether for yourself or someone you love.
After the panel, I had the chance to meet all three. I even learned that there will be an LGBTQ-focused USA House during the FIFA World Cup next July, an exciting milestone for global inclusivity.
San Jose Sports Hall of Fame: Celebrating 30 Years of Legacy
I was honored to attend the 30th Annual San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at SAP Center, a sold-out evening overflowing with pride and emotion. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan opened the evening honoring the city’s sports legacy and the incredible athletes who helped shape it.
The inductees’ stories were heartfelt and moving, powerful reminders of how sports can transform lives. A highlight was the recognition of the Special Olympics Northern California Athlete of the Year, whose presence added depth and inspiration to an already special night.
I met the inductees as they stood beside their newly unveiled bronze busts, soon to be permanently placed inside SAP Center—a touching tribute to their legacies and impact on the community.
Super Bowl LX: Bay Area Host Committee Reveals the Regional Lineup
The NFL and the Bay Area Host Committee expanded the excitement with the official announcement of major event venues for Super Bowl LX in February 2026.
San Francisco – Command Center of Super Bowl Week
• NFL Honors, Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Art
• Super Bowl Experience, February 3–7, 2026, at Moscone Center North & South
• BAHC LIVE! Fan Zone, February 3–7, 2026, at Yerba Buena Gardens & YBCA Forum
• NFL Culture Club, February 4–7, 2026, at The Pearl
• BAHC LIVE! Concert Series, February 5–7, 2026, at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Innovation & Entertainment
• Innovation Summit, Friday, February 6, 2026, at SFMOMA
• On Location’s Studio 60 Concert Series, February 6–7, 2026, at the Palace of Fine Arts
• Taste of the NFL, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at The Hibernia
• Super Bowl LX Flag Football Game (YouTube), Moscone Center South
San Jose
• Super Bowl Opening Night, Monday, February 2, 2026, at the San Jose Convention Center
Game Day
• Super Bowl LX, Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
Wisconsin Football Weekend: A Cold, Snowy, Unforgettable Upset in Madison
From the Bay Area bustle to Big Ten country—I took a Friday-night redeye to Madison, Wisconsin, where my sister Kris lives, ready for a football-filled weekend that would span both college and the NFL.
The forecast for the Badgers vs. No. 24 Washington matchup called for rain, snow, wind, and temperatures in the 30s. And Mother Nature delivered on all fronts. Thankfully, Kris and I had access to the Touchdown Club, which offered a bit of overhead protection—but we were still very much outdoors, bundled to the max, navigating the elements with hand warmers tucked everywhere.
And it was worth every frozen fingertip.
Wisconsin pulled off a thrilling upset, a tight game that went right down to the wire. What struck me most was the crowd—the Badger faithful stayed from kickoff to the final whistle, refusing to abandon their team despite the snow swirling around them. When the game ended, fans stormed the field, erupting into pure joy.
And, yes, in true Wisconsin fashion, they did “Jump Around” again, but this time with fans covering the field, snowflakes falling, and the entire stadium (Camp Randall) bouncing in unison. Kris and I are still smiling about it. It was cold, chaotic, joyous, and a completely unforgettable celebration.
Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field: Tailgates, Traditions, and Pure NFL Magic
As if one wild game weren’t enough, we stepped things up with an epic NFL pilgrimage to Green Bay for Monday Night Football. This was our third straight year seeing the Packers; what originally began as a bucket list trip has turned into a cherished sister tradition. Now, Kris and I are officially hooked; at least one Lambeau game a year feels like a must.
Thanks to a childhood friend from New Jersey who connected us with a colleague who is a Packers season ticket holder (and team owner), we secured fantastic club-level seats with access to a warm indoor concourse—key for November in Wisconsin.
We drove the two hours from Madison to Appleton and arrived at an Airbnb that can only be described as Packers paradise. Packers memorabilia was everywhere: décor, blankets, art, and, yes, even Packers pillows and bed sheets. The host left green-and-gold necklaces and game day gear, which we wore proudly.
We pre-booked a bus from a local bar to take us straight to Lambeau, and the ride itself felt like a party. Fans in full regalia were already hyped, singing, cheering, and welcoming everyone aboard. The Packers spirit is real—and contagious. The fans are truly some of the warmest you’ll ever meet.
Once at the stadium, Kris and I bundled up with hand warmers, toe warmers, and layers upon layers. We joined a tailgate hosted by our friend that featured grilled pizzas, shrimp skewers, endless snacks, a Packers tent, and even a portable heater. Tailgating in the Lambeau parking lot is like stepping into a football time capsule: history, tradition, and community all wrapped together.
Fans from across the country were there, including plenty of Philadelphia Eagles supporters. And, in a moment that made us laugh hysterically, we spotted not only Wisconsin cheeseheads … but also Philadelphia cream cheeseheads. Yes, there were Eagles fans wearing giant blocks of cream cheese boxes on their heads! I do love cheese and enjoyed the classic Wisconsin cheese curds.
Inside the stadium, the energy was powerful. Even though the Packers didn’t win, the experience was unforgettable, especially as the team honored Veterans Day the following day. Lambeau Field carries a reverence, a history, a heartbeat that every NFL fan should feel at least once.
For me, the best part was sharing it all with my sister—the cold, the food, the laughs, the memories, the Packers spirit. Football may be the reason to go, but family/sisterhood and tradition are what make Lambeau magic.
Baseball Diplomacy Continues: A World Series for the Ages
The 2025 World Series delivered one of the most exciting matchups in recent memory, highlighted by the brilliance of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu “Yoshi” Yamamoto, who earned World Series MVP honors and showcased the powerful Japanese connection energizing Major League Baseball.
I watched all of Game 7, texting with friends who were watching, many rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays. I simply wanted to watch an incredible game and it was. The series drew its largest global audience since 1992, and Game 7 became the most-watched MLB game in more than 30 years—a testament to how deeply it resonated across the U.S., Canada, and Japan.
For me, the most heartwarming part of this World Series was seeing baseball once again become a bridge between nations, a theme I wrote about in last month’s Diamond Diplomacy section. These shared global moments remind us that sports carry a unique ability to connect us through joy, competition, and humanity.
That feeling of connection leads me to something I’m especially proud of this season: Spritz is working with the Rainbow World Fund on the Tree of Hope lighting ceremony on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Grace Cathedral. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s the largest origami-decorated tree in the world—a living monument to peace, love, unity, and global compassion.
It is a gift from the LGBTQ+ community to the world, honoring diversity and our shared human connection—much like the way this year’s World Series brought fans together across borders and continents.
A New Era for Women’s Baseball: WPBL Launches
A milestone worth celebrating: the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) announced its first four franchise cities: San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. This is a groundbreaking moment for women’s pro sports, and I’m confident the Bay Area will build an incredible fan base for its newest home team.
Milano Cortina 2026: Olympic Torch Relay Begins
On the Olympic front, Milano Cortina announced details for the 2026 Winter Olympics torch relay, which begins November 26, 2025, in Olympia, Greece. After a traditional ceremony, the flame will be handed to the Italian delegation on December 4 in Athens, then begin a 63-day journey through 60 Italian cities, celebrating the nation’s cultural and natural heritage. The relay will culminate in Milan on February 6, 2026, for the Opening Ceremony.
LA28: 1000 Days Out, a New Google Partnership, and Volunteer Applications Now Open
LA28 celebrated being 1,000 days out from the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They also announced a founding partnership with Google, which will enhance the fan journey through integrated technology and immersive experiences. Volunteer applications are officially open, inviting people worldwide to be part of this historic moment.
Save the Date: Bay Area Women’s Classic at Chase Center
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 21, 2025, when the Bay Area Women’s Classic will return to Chase Center:
• 3 pm – Stanford vs. Oregon
• 5:30 pm – Cal vs. USC
This doubleheader will showcase elite West Coast programs and future WNBA stars— a perfect celebration of women’s college basketball.
Closing Reflection
From Pride Night to global viewership moments, from Olympic flames to football snowstorms, November reminded me of the incredible ways sports connect us—across cities, across nations, and across communities. The Bay Area remains a vibrant front row to it all. Signing off from the Bay, where passion meets the play.
https://www.bayareahostcommittee.com/
https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football
https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/
https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/
Beth Schnitzer, the former President of WISE (Women in Sports and Events), is the Co-Founder and President of Spritz: https://spritzsf.com/
Beth’s Bay Area Sports Beat
Published on November 20, 2025
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