June 2024
SAN JOSE SHARKS AND SAN JOSE MAYOR MATT MAHAN DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF SAP CENTER AT MAY 16 CARABINER MEETING
SAN JOSE SHARKS AND SAN JOSE MAYOR MATT MAHAN DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF SAP CENTER AT MAY 16 CARABINER MEETING
On May 16, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Sharks Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Shay spoke about the importance of the San Jose Sharks and SAP Center on the downtown economy at the most recent Carabiner meeting.
The discussion was hosted by the Urban Vibrancy Institute, whose goal is to collaborate with local businesses, communities, and government authorities to explore and reinvigorate the cultural, economic, and social vibrancy of San Jose. The most recent discussion focused on the importance of the arts, entertainment and sports as an economic driver, and creating a destination economy crucial to the downtown core.
The talk also addressed the future maintenance and infrastructure needs of the aging SAP Center, and the Sharks desire to ensure that the arena will be capable of hosting and entertaining the next generation of San Jose residents, while continuing to be a positiveeconomic driver to the surrounding region.
Read San Jose Spotlight’s Brandon Pho full report of the event here.
SAN JOSE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS ANNUAL STUDY MISSION IN LOS ANGELES FOCUSED ON THE ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY IMPACT OF SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Members of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, along with officials from the San Jose Sharks and local city and community leaders, traveled to Los Angeles on April 25 to discuss the economic and community impact and benefits generated by the sports and entertainment industries.
The Bay Area groups were hosted by several dignitaries from the greater Los Angeles area, including Russell Silvers, COO Global Partnerships, AEG Sports; Kathryn Schloessman, President & CEO, LA Sports Commission; Erikk Aldridge, Vice President of Impact, LA28;and Laura Jordan, Managing Director Sports & Media, Deloitte. San Jose State University Vice President for Administration and Finance Charlie Faas served as the moderator for the event.
The discussion focused on the successes that downtown Los Angeles has seen due to the public/private partnership that built LA Live, in conjunction with Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), which continues to attract major sporting events, creating vitality and driving investment in the downtown urban core. Projects such as these have boosted local economic growth and job creation, supported infrastructure investments and enhancements, boosted urban development, and enhanced the city’s brand and global visibility.
Based on her experience in successfully bringing global events to Los Angeles, Schloessman suggested that San Jose needs to invest in the experience economy if it wishes to continue securing such events and reaping the associated financial and economic benefits.
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
It is often said that visiting Italy is to fall in love all over again. The same can be said of the Little Italy neighborhood of San Jose, located just adjacent to SAP Center.
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Led by Little Italy’s unofficial Mayor and biggest booster, Josh DeVincenzi Melander, the region is excited to announce the opening of the latest addition to area: the Italian Cellar Speakeasy Bar. The Speakeasy is intended to be a gathering place for community and families from all over San Jose. Located underneath the Italian American Heritage Museum on W. St. John St, this unique location is the perfect starting point before concerts and games at SAP Center.
While the Speakeasy has an impressive bar selection, Little Italy is designed as a place for family, and food is central to this experience. The neighborhood features a wide-ranging collection of palette-pleasing offerings, which can be brought back downstairs to the Speakeasy or enjoyed at the multiple first-class businesses that make up Little Italy. Enjoy with friends and debate the greatest Shark players of all time all before heading to SAP Center for your big event!
Melander has been working on this vision for more than 10 years.
“Little Italy has been a stomping ground for Sharks fans for decades and we are excited to welcome fans – new and old – to the new authentic establishments and Italian character of San Jose’s oldest neighborhood,” he said.
SHARKS FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL GRANT CYCLE OPEN NOW, CLOSES JUNE 7 AT 5 P.M.
SHARKS FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL GRANT CYCLE OPEN NOW, CLOSES JUNE 7 AT 5 P.M.
Every April, the Sharks Foundation launches its staple fund-giving program, the Community Assist Grant Cycle. The Foundation accepts applications for funding from public, 501(c)(3) non-profits that can commit to keeping at least 51% of funds received in the Bay Area for the betterment of youth or families. In their applications, the non-profits propose a program or project that aligns with one of the causes supported by the Sharks Foundation Giving Campaign. During the 2023-24 season, the Sharks Foundation dedicated $844,805 through Community Assist Grants.
The Sharks Foundation’s annual Community Assist Grant Cycle for the 2024-25 season is now open but will be closing soon. Public, 501(c)(3) non-profits seeking funding and support are encouraged to submit an application by clicking HERE. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m.
Since its inception, the Sharks Foundation has given more than $20 million to Bay Area organizations through its annual Community Assist Grant Cycle program and season-long Giving Campaign. For more information visit www.SharksFoundation.org.
GOALS FOR KIDS NETS $180,000 FOR LOCAL BENEFICIARIES
Through its longstanding partnerships with presenting partners Taube Philanthropies, Tech CU, Chegg, and participating sponsor SWENSON Foundation, the Sharks Foundation announced that the Goals for Kids Program netted $180,000 for local non-profits during the 2023-24 season.
On April 7, the Sharks Foundation welcomed representatives from Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS), Elevate Tutoring, International Association for Human Values, MACLA, Narika, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Wayfinder Family Services for the 10th annual Goals for Kids Celebration Night. Representatives from each funding partner joined guests from each non-profit to participate in a pre-game check presentation and enjoyedthe Sharks vs. Coyotes game from a Penthouse Suite.
Since its inception in 2014, for every goal scored by the San Jose Sharks, Goals for Kids has made a $1,000 donation to a running sum of funds which has been evenly distributed amongst the program’s beneficiaries at the completion of each season. To date, the Goals for Kids program has donated $2,227,500 and positively impacted nearly 150,000 lives.