State of the Sharks: State of the City Announcement

State of the Sharks: State of the City Announcement

here at the Arena Green Park right next to SAP Center. Two major things going on today and we will get to the cleanup efforts by Team Thiel of the Guadalupe River in just a second. But first, it was also the mayor’s state of the city address which included some talks about the Sharks future here in San Jose. We’re making lasting investments that will set us up to create a future sports and entertainment district right here where we stand today. That means starting in July, special events that activate one of seven new entertainment zones in San Jose will allow you to buy a beer at San Pedro and take it with you as you walk down the soontobe renamed Sharks Way through our little Italy onto a concert at SAP Center. We’ve had a hometown team that has helped put San Jose on the map for over 30 years. And when the city council officially approves our new agreement, they’ll be here for at least 25 more. To help me make this next announcement, I’d like to invite someone on stage that many of you know and love. Sharky. Oh, and his boss, Jonathan Becker, Sharks president. [Applause] I got it. Mayor, council members, distinguished guests, and yes, Sharky, too. It is on behalf of all of us at Shark Sports Entertainment, it is our distinct honor to participate in today’s state of the city address. And it’s particularly fitting that we do it here, essentially at the footsteps of SAP Center, which for more than 30 years has been one of the most significant assets to the city’s economy and to all our residents. In fact, together with the Sharks, we’ve helped answer that musical question, do you know the way to San Jose? With a resounding, of course we do. We are extraordinarily excited, as Matt hinted, to be in the final stages of a new agreement with the city which will reinvest in the SAP center to serve everyone in the San Jose committee community for many generations to come, hopefully a lot longer than just 25 years. But not just that, to attract millions of visitors from all over the Bay Area and beyond to this beautiful city we love called San Jose. But we hope that’s only the first step in what is a much larger possibility for an arena district around the SAP center. You’ve probably heard me say and seen our signs that the future is teal. To me, the future is here in San Jose. Thank you. On now to that cleanup effort. And you know, the Guadalupe River has always kind of been part of the arena experience in tandem with the Arena Green Park. It’s just right next door to the tank. And so today, so great to see members of Team Teal actively participating and having a hand in cleaning up this space. It’s an incredible asset that as people get to know it, they’re going to realize, “Oh my gosh, we have a beautiful downtown with a close airport, the best weather in the world, and a river that’s has water all year long that you can kayak in downtown.” I think it’s like San Jose. If you just reveal San Jose, it’s a wonderful town. And if you just reveal this river with yeah a little cleanup and a little TLC, but it’s not like we have to spend a billion dollars to fix it up. We just have some TLC. When I’m walking to Sharks games, I’m sitting here and I walk across this river and I want people to look down and say, “Wow.” As opposed to go, “Oh.” And that’s that’s my I I want to dedicate the next 10 years of my life. And working with Chris Shay has been fabulous for that. I feel like I’m we’re amplifying things. It’s starting to look beautiful over there in Arny Green West. People want to be there. And then soon they’ll be kayaking. Free kayak rides today. This is everything right here.

Brodie Brazil checks in from San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s State of the City address and the Arena Green cleanup event around the Guadalupe River.