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Report: Sharks expect to host outdoor game in 2015

Minnesota Twins v San Francisco Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 23: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants returns to home plate during an at bat against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at AT&T Park on May 23, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The San Jose Sharks expect to host an outdoor game next season, according to CSNBayArea.com’s Kevin Kurz.

There are plenty of elements that are still up in the air, however. For one thing, an opponent needs to be determined. Officials would also need to decide upon a venue for that outdoor game.

Kurz gives his take on the ideal locale:

AT&T Park would probably be the better option for both the league and the Sharks. Known as one of the most picturesque stadiums in the country, sitting on the edge of the San Francisco Bay and what’s known as McCovey Cove, it would provide breathtaking visuals for a national broadcast much like NHL games at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park in the past. It could help the Sharks to help grow the game locally in the San Francisco area, and be easier to fill to capacity, as AT&T Park holds 41,503 fans as compared to the 68,500 seats at Levi’s Stadium.

Along with AT&T Park (home of the San Francisco Giants), Kurz also mentions Levi’s Stadium. Let’s take a look at the two venues in question:

AT&T Park:

Chicago Cubs v San Francisco Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 26: A general view during the San Francisco Giants game against the Chicago Cubs at AT&T Park on May 26, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Minnesota Twins v San Francisco Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 23: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants returns to home plate during an at bat against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at AT&T Park on May 23, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Levi’s Stadium:

49ers Stadium Football

The newly-installed turf now covers the field at Levi’s Stadium during a preview tour Monday, April 21, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. The installation of 2.5 acres of sod was completed over the weekend. The new home of the San Francisco 49ers football team opens in August. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

AP

49ers Stadium Football

In this photo taken with a fisheye lens, the newly-installed turf now covers the field at Levi’s Stadium during a preview tour Monday, April 21, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. The installation of 2.5 acres of sod was completed over the weekend. The team selected West Coast Turf’s Bandera Bermuda for the playing field. The new home of the San Francisco 49ers football team opens in August. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

AP

Hard to top AT&T Park, eh?

While Kurz cites multiple anonymous sources, there has been plenty of discussion regarding the Sharks getting an outdoor game.

San Jose was mentioned as one of what could be four venues for outdoor games next season. Reports surfaced about the Sharks making noise about this in January. The San Francisco Giants were initially expressing their interest in February.

It should be an interesting place to watch. Considering the fact that the Sharks’ GM spoke about wanting to play for the team, not just in this locale, it could also be a fun (and surreal) place to watch an outdoor hockey game.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins