San Jose Sharks Spark Outrage with Controversial Message on Hispanic Heritage Night—What Went Wrong?

So here’s the kicker — during what was supposed to be a vibrant celebration of Hispanic heritage at the SAP Center, a message popped up on the San Jose Sharks’ scoreboard that sent the crowd into an uproar. Instead of cheers, there were boos, as a phrase seemingly applauding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flashed across the screen during their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fans, including diehard Sharks supporter Jessica Clark, were left stunned and frankly pretty disgusted — especially considering the occasion was meant to honor the Bay Area’s Hispanic community. The team has since scrambled to apologize, calling the message an external submission that slipped past their radar, stressing it stands completely at odds with their core values. It’s a messy, uncomfortable moment that none involved wanted, unfolding on the very night the Sharks were supposed to showcase unity and pride. And oh yeah — the Penguins sealed the deal with a 3-0 win that night. LEARN MORE

The San Jose Sharks have apologized after an apparent offensive message seeming to praise Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was displayed on the arena’s scoreboard during the team’s Hispanic heritage celebration on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Video shared with CNN showed the scoreboard displaying: “SJ SHARKS FANS LOVE ICE !! GET ‘EM BOYZ !” Some fans at SAP Center in San Jose, California, can be heard booing in response.

Sharks fan Jessica Clark told CNN she and her group were “appalled” by the message. “They’re my favorite team — I even have tattoos — but this was something that should’ve been caught,” she said.

In a statement posted on X later, the NHL team said: “During the first intermission of tonight’s game, an offensively worded message which had been externally submitted was inadvertently displayed on the in-arena scoreboard.”

Sharks Sports & Entertainment said the message did not reflect the organization’s values and had not been detected during its standard review process. The team expressed deep regret and said it is investigating the origin of the message.

The incident occurred during “Los Tiburones Night,” the Sharks’ ninth annual celebration of “the team’s commitment to the Bay Area’s vibrant Hispanic community,” according to the club’s website.

The Sharks would go on to lose to the Penguins 3-0.