Something I don't think people here are talking about too much, which isn't surprising because even the Sharks boards here don't necessarily have a majority of people from the Bay Area, is how this can help change the Bay Area Sports Landscape. As some of you know, over the years I've posted about this, because, even though I don't live in the Bay Area anymore, I want to see the Sharks become more popular in the Bay Area.
I'm not suggesting Celebrini moves a significant needle in terms of the hierarchy of Bay Area sports team (The pecking order will still be the same), but I have to think Celebrini's connection to the Warriors might help bring in some new Bay Area Casual Sports Fans who have otherwise ignored the Sharks, even when they were good. Back in the late 00's, I saw a news piece on KPIX where they interviewed people on the street in SF showing them pictures of Thornton and Marleau and asking them if they could name them. Most could not. I feel like Celebrini with the Warriors connection might finally be the bridge to people who follow the other Bay Area teams, but not the Sharks. And that's exciting to me. That's how you bring in new fans!
I also think there is fortuitous timing with all of this and the A's leaving. (Sorry A's fans). I lived in DFW from 2009-2022, and I was always jealous of how much DFW, a metro of a similar size to Bay Area, supported the Stars. And what I mean by that is, anywhere in the DFW metro you go, you do see Stars stuff. There is no Dallas vs. Arlington hangup like there is SF vs. SJ. Stars are still #4 in the pecking order, but you see support all over the metro. There are many reasons for the disparity between Stars support in DFW vs. Sharks support in the Bay Area, but one of them I've always contended is that DFW has one team per major pro sports league. Cowboys, Rangers, Stars, Mavs. For much of the Sharks existence, there has been the Niners, Raiders, Giants, A's, Warriors and then Sharks. (I'm putting aside the college teams just for sake of discussion, but we could also throw Cal, Stanford and even other schools in the mix) The sports landscape has always been so crowded in the Bay Area.
By the time the Sharks are good again with Celebrini and Smith leading the way, the Bay Area will be a one team per major pro sports league market (Niners, Giants, Warriors, Sharks). I think this benefits the Sharks. Also, by the time the Sharks are good again, there will be a new TV contract. Again, fortuitous timing. Maybe a new TV contract could see some games on local OTA television, like how back in the day there were some games (including the Sharks first ever playoff game) on KICU 36. I think that would be amazing!
Anyways, I'm simply looking forward to the Sharks getting their due in the Bay Area market and increased visibility. And nobody should discount what Celebrini means to the Sharks in terms of the Bay Area Sports landscape and overall business.
