June 2025
SHARKS SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LENDS HELPING HAND TO CITY OF SAN JOSE, MAYOR MATT MAHAN AT
2025 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor Mahan and Sharks President Jonathan Becher Acknowledge New Partnership is Almost Finalized to Modernize SAP Center at San Jose,
Keep the Sharks at “The Tank”
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Approximately three quarters of the way through San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s State of the City address on May 17 in Arena Green East, he called Sharks President Jonathan Becher and the irrepressible S.J. Sharkie to the stage.
The guest cameos from the Sharks organization were not just an acknowledgment that the event was being held in the shadow of SAP Center at San Jose, the Sharks home for the past 32 years. Just minutes earlier, Mayor Mahan made the announcement that the City of San Jose and Sharks Sports & Entertainment were in the final stages of negotiating an extension of the arena management agreement between the two parties, which will ensure that the Sharks remain in San Jose, and also solidifies a partnership to re-invest in the arena to ensure it remains modern and viable for the next generation of San Jose residents.
“We have a hometown team that has helped put San Jose on the map for over 30 years,” Mahan said. “And when the City Council officially approves our new agreement, they’ll be here for at least 25 more.”
“We hope that’s only the first step in what is a much larger possibility for an arena district around SAP Center,” added Becher. “You’ve probably heard me say and seen our signs that ‘The Future is Teal’ but to me, the future is here in San Jose.”
Following the event, local volunteers – including nearly 100 from Sharks Sports & Entertainment – rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to clean up and refresh Arena Green, which included tree planting, painting, trash pick-up and more.
Catch Brodie Brazil’s video recap of the event here.
NEWLY DESIGNATED SHARKS WAY ADDS CIVIC PRIDE, CONNECTIVITY TO DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE
Soon-To-Be Refreshed Thoroughfare Named as One of Seven “Entertainment Zones” in Downtown San Jose.
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On May 13, the San Jose City Council approved the first step in the City’s initiative to “stitch districts,” aimed at better connecting neighborhoods throughout Downtown San Jose. In a unanimous vote, the council approved renaming W. St. John Street from the San Pedro Square Market to the corner of SAP Center at Barack Obama Blvd. as Sharks Way.
The approximately half-mile route encompasses a casual stroll just south of Little Italy and across the newly restored Guadalupe River Park. In a related announcement, the Council also approved Little Italy Way, which renames the abridged North Almaden Blvd. from Julian Ave to Sharks Way.
These two designations will be accompanied by new art, lights, and an environment conducive to gathering, ensuring that arena patrons will enjoy these distinct entertainment zones while walking to a game or concert for generations to come. This new initiative further encourages guests to walk along a revived Sharks Way and to Guadalupe Park to enjoy outdoor activities all year long in Arena Green.
Additionally, Sharks Way was named as one of the seven proposed “Entertainment Zones” in Downtown San Jose, which has been enthusiastically endorsed by the San Jose Downtown Association and the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. This proposal will make it easier to close streets for live music, outdoor dining and special events, and allow for the sale of “to-go” containers of alcohol that can be consumed outdoors within a geographic area.
Keep an eye out for more news on the improved fan experience throughout 2025.
THE BATTERY ATLANTA PROVIDES BLUEPRINT FOR LOCAL SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
As the City of San Jose looks to stitch districts and create a sports and entertainment zone in the heart of Silicon Valley, City officials and residents can look to The Battery Atlanta as a perfect example of how an integrated sports and entertainment district can positively impact economic growth and garner national attention for a major league city.
The Battery Atlanta, anchored by 40,000 seat Truist Park and home to the Atlanta Braves since 2017, has emerged as a significant economic catalyst for Cobb County, Georgia. In 2024, the Battery attracted 10.3 million visitors, generating $130 million in retail revenue for its sports and entertainment tenants. Visitors averaged 2.4 trips per year and 165 minutes per visit, highlighting its appeal as a lifestyle entertainment destination. In the short ten years the Battery has been in existence, it has catapulted to become the #1 lifestyle entertainment center in Georgia and the #8 in the nation.
Financially, the development has well surpassed expectations. In 2022, Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta generated more than $40 million in combined tax revenue, with $9.4 million allocated to the Cobb County Board of Education. Likely the most impressive figure is the increase in the taxable value of the land and income that the Battery generates for Cobb County. The taxable property values in the area have risen dramatically, from $5 million in 2013 to $767 million in 2023. This growth signifies a substantial return on investment for Cobb County and the Georgia economy.
The Battery's success has also influenced office occupancy trends. The development has attracted major corporations, including Comcast, Papa Johns, and TK Elevator, enhancing its status as a premier business hub. The upcoming completion of the 250,000-square-foot Five Ballpark Center, set to serve as the national headquarters for Truist Securities, further underscores the entertainment district’s commercial appeal. Recent reports indicate that the Battery is currently at a staggering 99% occupancy and that it has influenced the area immediately outside of the original development with new construction on additional hotels, housing and even additional office space.
Overall, The Battery Atlanta exemplifies the potential of integrated sports and entertainment districts near sports facilities to drive economic growth, increase tax revenues, and create vibrant community spaces that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
SHARKS TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL NHL DRAFT PARTY AT SAP CENTER
The San Jose Sharks will host the 3rd annual Sharks Draft Viewing Party on Friday, June 27 at SAP Center at San Jose. Doors for the viewing party will open at 3:15 p.m. for the general public. The event will include live viewing of the 2025 NHL Draft broadcast live on the SAP Center center-hung video board. The party will end at the conclusion of the first round. Parking is free in SAP Center’s main ABC parking lot.
Fans who would like to attend the Draft Viewing Party must claim their FREE tickets by clicking HERE. Last year, more than 6,000 fans attended the event when the Sharks used the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to select center Macklin Celebrini and the 11th overall pick to select defenseman Sam Dickinson.
The event will be hosted by Sharks in-arena personalities Emily Harlan and Danny Miller (and will include Music from DJ Mario E, Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie and Frenzy from the San Jose Barracuda, members of the Coca Cola Tank Patrol, fan photo opportunities with the Sharks Zambonis and the Shark Head, games and family activities including face painting, arts and crafts, S.J. Sharkie coloring pages and more.
San Jose Sharks alumni players including Scott Hannan, Dan Boyle, and Tom Pederson are expected to be in attendance and will sign autographs for fans throughout the concourse.
With the draft party expected to conclude earlier than a regular-season Sharks game, fans are encouraged to enjoy an evening in downtown San Jose afterward. Bars, restaurants, and other entertainment locations that have been fan-favorites for many years, including dining establishments in both Little Italy and at San Pedro Square, along with new entertainment and dining spots located within walking distance of SAP Center, will be open throughout the downtown area.
The Sharks currently hold two 2025 first-round selections (second overall and 30th overall, acquired from the Dallas Stars via trade) and have four picks in the draft’s first two rounds. In total, the Sharks have nine picks in the draft which will be held at L.A. Live's Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.