Approved Agreement to Keep the Sharks in San Jose Until 2051
The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a crucial agreement that ensures the Sharks’ permanence in the city until the year 2051. The decision, made this Tuesday, involves a significant renovation of the SAP Center, the team’s home. The agreement was backed by Mayor Matt Mahan and the ten council members, who pledged to invest $325 million in the modernization of the SAP Center, a 32-year-old venue owned by the city. This investment will be supplemented by a $100 million contribution from Hasso Plattner, the team owner. Plattner has already invested more than $100 million in stadium improvements over the last decade. The agreement includes clauses that will penalize the Sharks if they decide to leave the city before the expiration of the contract, stipulated for June 30, 2051. In addition, it has been agreed that the Sharks and the city of San Jose will begin planning the construction of a new stadium starting in September 2027. The Sharks, who began their journey in 1991, settled in their downtown San Jose stadium in 1993.The Sharks are proud to have played in San Jose for over 30 years and look forward to enjoying 25 more years. 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 stadium attendees, teams, and artists.
Jonathan Becher, team president.
