Lease extension would keep Sharks at SAP until 2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks expect to call SAP Center their home for at least the next 10 years.
Sharks owner Hasso Plattner and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo announced Friday that the team and the city have reached a lease extension agreement at SAP Center through May 8, 2025, subject to approval by the City Council.
The current lease runs through June 30, 2018. Beginning in the 2026-27 season, the Sharks will be on a year-to-year lease through 2040. As part of the new deal, the city and Sharks have agreed on a plan to maintain and upgrade the facility.
''Yes, there are others around us here building arenas or wanting to build arenas, and they were buzzing in the left ear and then the right ear. I never ever entertained any discussions with those folks as long as we had a chance to come to a decent agreement here, and we have done that,'' Plattner said.
SAP Center opened in 1993.
''This is a great milestone for the city of San Jose and our special history and partnership with the Sharks,'' Liccardo said.
Now that the team has a new lease, Plattner said he can turn more attention to other matters, such as hiring a coach and improving the team.
The Sharks' streak of 10 straight trips to the NHL playoffs ended this season. Shortly after the season ended, coach Todd McLellan and the Sharks agreed to part ways.
''He said seven years is enough. We have to try something different. Now there's a long list of candidates we go through,'' Plattner said.
Although Plattner was disappointed with the season, he said he maintained faith in Doug Wilson as his general manager, unlike some Sharks fans, who wanted a change in management.
Plattner said he's optimistic that the Sharks ''can rebound pretty quickly'' and make the playoffs next season.
