There was major news between the San Jose Sharks and the city of San Jose today. The City of San Jose has unanimously passed a motion that extends the Sharks' stay in San Jose through the 2051 season.
The agreement also approves $425 million in renovations to the SAP Center, with the Sharks responsible for $100 million of those renovations. The upgrades will affect various aspects of the venue.
From the Sharks' own release, “The improvements will include deferred maintenance and infrastructure updates to SAP Center’s elevators, restrooms, plumbing, Wi-Fi network, sound system, electrical, fire protection system, and emergency generators. Additionally, modernization plans for the main concourse, penthouse, and club levels will enhance the guest in-arena experience. In contrast, changes at the arena level will update the sports and entertainment locker rooms, providing a modernized experience for visiting entertainers, sports teams, and Sharks hockey.”
The SAP Center, which opened in 1993, is undoubtedly in need of renovations. One oddity in the arena that could potentially be corrected is the visiting team's bench being expanded so the backup goalie isn't stuck on the other side of the rink.
In addition to renovations, the City and the Sharks plan to secure a site for a new arena, if needed in the future, by 2027. A promising sign the Sharks will be in San Jose for the long haul, even beyond 2051.
This is a milestone deal for the Sharks and the City of San Jose. While the Sharks were never in real danger of leaving San Jose, negotiations of this magnitude can often be very tense and lead to a lot of drama surrounding the organization and the team. Getting it done and out of the way will keep the focus on the Ice. While the arena renovations are nice, having the Sharks in San Jose for at least the next 25 years is a massive win for San Jose and Sharks fans.