Another NHL franchise could relocate soon due to potential arena issues
Mere months after the Arizona Coyotes relocated to Utah, another NHL team is reportedly considering relocation for reasons relating to their arena deal.
Less than a month after drafting Macklin Celebrini with the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks find themselves in a precarious position with their arena deal with SAP Center set to conclude in 4 years time, making relocation a real possibility.
San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng has confirmed that while the team is hopeful that a new deal with SAP Center can be worked out, there is a chance that the Sharks could end up having to leave San Jose.
Sharks Sports and Entertainment president Jonathan Becher does believe that a deal is more likely than not to be reached, but has confirmed that owner Hasso Plattner is not interested in leaving the Bay Area of California, so if the team did relocate, it would be to another spot in the area. The Sharks don't seem likely to leave California as a result.
"Hasso has been very clear. He's a Bay Area guy. He wants to stay in San Jose, and if for some reason, this site doesn't work out, we would look at other places in San Jose first, and then, the rest of the Bay Area."
If the Sharks do end up having to leave San Jose, the two frontrunners appear to be San Francisco and Oakland.
Source: Sheng Peng, San Jose Hockey Now
Becher: Sharks Aren't Leaving Bay Area, No Matter What Happens With SAP Center Agreement
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 20 | 389 ANSWERS Another NHL franchise could relocate soon due to potential arena issues Do you think the San Jose Sharks will relocate within the next 4 years? | ||
| No, they'll get a new arena deal done | 224 | 57.6 % |
| Yes, they'll relocate elsewhere in California | 115 | 29.6 % |
| Yes, they'll move out of California entirely | 50 | 12.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
