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Hockey History

Sharks Were Named 30 Years Ago Today

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2 years ago

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Credit: Associated Press

30 years ago today, the Bay Area NHL expansion franchise announced their name — they would be called the Sharks.

On September 6, 1990, the Sharks knew that they’d make their 1991-92 debut at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. But they still hadn’t announced their long-term home: San Jose was the favorite, but Oakland was still under consideration.

“Sharks are relentless, determined, swift, agile, bright, and fearless,” Matt Levine, executive president of team business operations, said then. (“Bay Area NHL franchise gets name with a bite.” Associated Press. September 7, 1990.)

The Sharks logo wouldn’t be revealed until February 1991, but a team signature, spelled in the form of shark teeth, was also unveiled on this day:

Credit: Associated Press

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jerrysjs

Thanks for this bit of Sharks history! I did not know that Oakland was being considered at one point as a home for the Sharks. I always thought San Jose was the location from the conceptual period through to the first game.

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Sheng Peng

Thanks for reading! They really wanted San Jose, I believe, but they had to make sure the arena was going to get built. Oakland was closer to a back-up, but the NHL franchise didn’t want to be fourth banana to the A’s, Warriors, and Raiders (who weren’t back in Oakland yet but getting there)

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