Sharks to remain in San Jose until at least 2050-51
One of California’s staple franchises has plans to stick around for a long, long time.
On Tuesday, Sharks Sports & Entertainment (SSE) and the City of San Jose announced that they have reached an agreement to extend the San Jose Sharks’ lease of the SAP Center, keeping the team in town through the 2050-51 season.
Here’s to 25 more years of Teal at @SAPCenter 🩵
We’re taking a look back at all the Sharks teams that have called the building home 👇
As part of the agreement, the city and SSE will invest over $500 million into the venue, which was opened in 1993. The plans include providing massive upgrades through projects that have already begun. Along with infrastructure updates to various areas in the arena, including restrooms, Wi-Fi, electrical, etc., there are plans for a modernized concourse, penthouse and club levels that will enhance the in-arena experience for fans. Also, the locker rooms will be improved for the Sharks, as well as other entertainers and sports teams.
“The Sharks have been proud to play in San Jose for the last 30+ years and look forward to another 25 more,” Jonathan Becher, President of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, said in a release. “While we have consistently invested our own funds to maintain the city-owned SAP Center and intend to continue doing so, this partnership with the City of San Jose will bring much-needed renovations and improvements for arena guests, the teams, and performers.”
SSE will continue to manage and operate the SAP Center, as part of the agreement.
The Sharks have been in San Jose since 1991, not long after brothers Gord and George Gund III infamously sold the Minnesota North Stars to bring an NHL franchise back to the Bay Area. The team has made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs 21 times in the 33-year history of the franchise. The Sharks have advanced as far as the Western Conference Final five times, reaching the Cup Final in 2016. The team is in the midst of an extended rebuild at this time, but with rising stars in Macklin Celebrini, Yaroslav Askarov and Will Smith, there’s hope that San Jose will return to prominence in the near future.