The story of the Sunnyvale hockey jersey is intertwined with the arrival of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the Bay Area in the early 1990s. This is the story of how the San Jose Sharks came to be, and how their iconic teal jersey was created.
The Birth of a Team: Choosing the Sharks
In September 1990, the nickname for the new NHL team set to begin playing in 1991 at the Cow Palace in Daly City was announced: the Sharks. This decision followed a "Name the Hockey Team" contest where club officials received over 2,300 suggestions.
The name "Sharks" stood out for several reasons. According to Matt Levine, the Sharks’ executive vice president of business operations, "Sharks" sounds good, is easy to remember, is regional, and has great marketing potential. The team avoided names with double meanings, steering clear of options like "Seals" or "Blades."
Even before the team had a finalized name or logo, fans showed their enthusiasm by committing to fill the Cow Palace halfway, with over 5,000 deposits for season tickets.
How the San Jose Sharks got their name, colors & logo
The Logo and Colors: A Deep Secret Revealed
The unveiling of the San Jose Sharks logo was a highly anticipated event. The team management went to great lengths to keep the design a secret. However, the San Jose Mercury News managed to get an early look and published it before the official unveiling.
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The Sharks’ logo features a white triangle design from which a shark is emerging and biting a hockey stick in half. Hockey legend Gordie Howe praised the logo, saying, "The crest you wear on your chest is what catches everybody’s eye, and if this crest doesn’t catch your eye, you’d better check your pulse."
Teal Blue: A Color That Made History
Teal blue was chosen as the main color for the away jersey. During the color selection process, the team was careful to avoid combinations that resembled other teams, such as the Miami Dolphins.
The choice of teal was met with mixed reactions. Some considered it a "gentle" color suitable for women, while others found it unconventional for a hockey team.
Despite initial skepticism, teal quickly became synonymous with the San Jose Sharks, defining their brand and creating a unique identity in the NHL.
The uniform unveiling came nine months after the franchise was awarded to brothers George and Gordon Gund, but Levine said it was important for the Sharks to take the time to make sure their logo design would be popular.
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Merchandising and Marketing
The Sharks anticipated significant revenue from apparel and collectibles. Matt Levine, the team’s executive vice president in charge of business operations, hoped that the merchandise would quickly become the No. 2 seller among NHL-licensed products in the United States, behind those of the Los Angeles Kings.
The team involved fans in the design process, inviting them to critique color tones and accepting entries in a Design-A-Logo contest. This collaborative approach helped ensure that the final product resonated with the fan base.
Other teams have made mistakes. Hey, the Sharks listened to what everybody had to say. They listened to fans even inviting them to critique color tones during their exhaustive research sessions. They accepted all of the entries in a Design-A-Logo contest. We spent 12 months on this process, said Levine, a sports marketing specialist.
Evolution of the Jersey
Since its inception, the Sunnyvale hockey jersey has undergone several design changes, but the core teal color has remained a constant. The jersey has become a symbol of the team's identity and a source of pride for fans.
The evolution of the Sunnyvale hockey jersey reflects the team's journey from its early days to its current status as a respected NHL franchise. The jersey represents not only the team's colors and logo but also the passion and dedication of its fans.
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| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 1990 | Team Nickname Announced | The team is named the San Jose Sharks after a contest with over 2,300 entries. |
| February 1991 | Logo Unveiling | The San Jose Sharks logo is revealed, featuring a shark biting a hockey stick. |
| February 1991 | Jersey Colors Announced | Teal blue is chosen as the main color for the away jersey. |