Goodbye, PWHL San Jose. Hello, San Jose Sea Lions.
In an early-morning announcement, the PWHL revealed the identity of the league’s first California franchise.
“Sea Lions are proud guardians of the rugged Bay Area coastline, deeply connected to Pacific waters and the communities that define the region,” the league said in a statement. “Known for their intelligence, playful expression, agility, and fierce protection of their colonies, the Sea Lion emblem at the logo’s center evokes that same energy.”
Sharks tools
Alongside the name, the league also released a new logo for the team: a blue sea lion above white waves on an orange background, representing a setting sun.
Graphic via the PWHL
In addition to the San Jose Sea Lions, the PWHL released the identities of the three other expansion teams: the Las Vegas Vanguards, the Hamilton Havoc and the Detroit Clutch.
“As we developed California’s first PWHL team, it was important to create a brand that would resonate across San Jose and the many distinct communities that make up the Bay Area,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President, Business Operations. “That inspiration quickly led us to the Pacific coast, a defining force that connects the region through its shared sense of place. Northern California has built a passionate and growing hockey community while consistently championing women’s sports. Fueled by that pride and the bold, energetic characteristics of the sea lion, this team will embody that same spirit on and off the ice.”
The Sea Lions name beat out several other potential marine-themed and Bay Area-linked names, including Hammerheads, Otters and Seals.
By choosing an aquatic animal, the PWHL links the Sea Lions with their SAP Center co-tenants, the San Jose Sharks. The similarity in the names echoes the Bay Area’s pair of professional men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Golden State Warriors and Valkyries. Still, by avoiding anything shark-related, the PWHL is giving the San Jose franchise room to forge its own unique identity.
Sea lions are found throughout the state, but are most famously spotted lounging on the docks at San Francisco’s Pier 39. The most common species, California sea lions, began flocking to Fisherman’s Wharf after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.
Some sea lion fun facts:
1. On land, a group of sea lions is called a colony, in the water, a raft.
2. Sea lions are part of the pinniped group (made up of marine mammals with front and rear flippers), along with seals and walruses.
3. Unlike seals, sea lions have ear flaps.
— Eli Fastiff (@Eli_Fastiff) November 10, 2026
This spring, a Steller sea lion dubbed “Chonkers” made local and national headlines after becoming popular with onlookers thanks to his size (roughly 1,500 to 2,000 pounds, according to the New York Times) and laid-back attitude.
“I love the brand. I think the color combination of blue, orange, and white, and the navy blue in the logo is great. I also love that the sea lion is in the shape of a wave; that’s really clever,” Sea Lions defender Rory Guilday said in the press release. “The first game is going to be so cool. Being in a new market and having new fans that are extremely excited about this season, it’s going to be electric in the building. Seeing a lot of orange will be different and a lot of fun, so I’m very excited.”
The San Jose Sea Lions open training camp on Nov. 18 and will play a pair of preseason games against the Seattle Torrent at Tech CU Arena on Nov. 29 and 30. San Jose will open its inaugural season at home against the Minnesota Frost on Dec. 5.