Since his arrival in the Bay Area as a first-round draft pick back in 2009, Stephen Curry has had a massive impact on the region. The 36-year-old Golden State Warriors star spent his first 10 seasons in Oakland and now sees himself hoop under the lights of the Chase Center in San Francisco. And the people of Bay Area? Oh, they have seen the multiple highs and lows of the superstar. Moreover, Curry’s impact isn’t just limited to the basketball court, he’s also helped the community and built his own business empire in the Bay Area. So much so that he planned to pursue his post-NBA career in San Francisco, rather than heading to New York or LA.
The 36-year-old guard wants to give back to the community, which is struggling to keep up with the rest of the world. So, he came up with a plan—develop a mixed-use building in the Dogpatch area. Imagine the shock when his plans got halted due to a dispute! Earlier this month, Curry’s main entity, Thirty Ink, planned to leave its current SoMa office space, which serves as a hub for his eight businesses and 13 entities. Their plan? To relocate to a newer, much bigger space on 20th Street and closer to the Chase Center. Stephen Curry bought the Dogpatch building for approximately $8.35 million—almost six times its 2021 sale price. That’s a hefty price even by Curry’s standards. However, it was to facilitate his off-court businesses and stay connected to the Bay Area.
But despite revealing the rendering and providing details on how Curry and his team planned to use the space, it all amounted to nothing. Recently, Thirty Ink’s spokesperson shared an unfortunate news through an email to SFist. “Our dream of building a new Thirty Ink HQ at 600 20th Street has been destroyed by the Carpenters Local Union, and the project is being cancelled effective immediately.”
Thirty Ink’s Michael Smith said. “While a project of this size typically requires zero union workers, we committed to having a 40% union workforce,” the statement continued. “A Carpenters Local Union representative initially acknowledged that commitment was more than adequate under the circumstances. Unfortunately, our generous and completely unnecessary approach has been deemed unacceptable.”
Privately Funded Project… which means they don’t have to use Union Members…
Show of good faith, Steph offered them deal to use 40% Union Members for project, Union said all or nothing lol
Real issue is ongoing beef between Union and Contractor https://t.co/sU7ldS6HJG
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) April 12, 2025
The Carpenters Union, according to Thirty Ink’s representatives, wanted them to use a 100% union workforce despite not being legally obliged to do so. Curry’s team also tried to negotiate with the union to which they argued, “When Steph Curry walks on the basketball court, he doesn’t give 40 percent effort, he gives 100 percent. The working men and women of the Nor Cal Carpenters Union expects that Mr. Curry’s nonprofit give that same 100 percent to local labor as well.” Nor Cal Carpenters Union executive secretary Jay Bradshaw stated. As a result of this tension between Thirty Ink and the union, the project has come to a halt. Between this tussle, the people of San Francisco are the unfortunate victims, and they aren’t too happy with how things have translated in the last few weeks.
“This hurts the city.” People express their anger as Stephen Curry’s dream project is canceled.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Stephen Curry’s Dogpatch project has been canceled. All over just a dispute over what percentage of unionized carpenters will be used. It seems a bit odd. It could be a tactic to negotiate and get a better deal, or it could also be a fallout. Who knows? We’ll have to wait for that to be revealed. Meanwhile, Bay Area citizens think it’s hurting the city that’s already struggling to find its groove. “Real issue is empowering unions and allowing them to use disgusting tactics to pressure people to overpay for labor. This hurts the city, the community, and the free marketplace. What a joke. Hopefully, he decides to develop outside of the city but still in the Bay.” One user wrote on X.
Dec 25, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images.
The follower argued that the issue is that the union is misusing its powers to pressure Thirty Ink to pay more for the labor. The solution? Maybe develop somewhere in the outskirts but still in the Bay. Meanwhile, a person accused the Carpenters Union of being greedy. “Steph didn’t have to use a single union worker. He tried to do the right thing, and the union got greedy and f—– itself sideways.” The user said. Despite not being obliged to use union workers due to it being a small project, Stephen Curry’s team tried to do the right thing. However, the union is taking an all-or-nothing approach that might come to bite them. Furthermore, a fan blamed San Francisco’s current state for this mishap. “The s—show that is San Francisco forges on.”
The people’s anger is visible through their rallying support for the Warriors star. Another user extended their support to Stephen Curry. “Construction Union going against the most beloved sports figure in Bay Area history…” He wrote. Also, attaching a GIF that further took a sarcastic jab at the union’s tactics. The GIF read, “That’s a bold strategy Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him,” referring to the Union.
However, not all the people supported Steph’s support, as a few thought he was running away from paying workers a fair wage, which doesn’t seem like the case. “Siding with the billionaire instead of paying people a fair wage. This nation is so cooked,” a person commented. They suggested that people are supporting an NBA star over letting him pay fair wages to the workers. Overall, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for Thirty Ink, but we hope the issue between them and the Union gets sorted.
The post America Is Fuming as Stephen Curry’s $8.35M Investment Crushed by Unavoidable Dispute appeared first on EssentiallySports.
