PWHL adds expansion franchise in San Jose, bringing league to 12 teams

The PWHL will add a franchise in San Jose ahead of next season, bringing the league to 12 teams.

San Jose joins Detroit, Hamilton and Las Vegas as the four expansion teams heading into the league's fourth season.

It's the latest step in the PWHL's rapid growth, as the league looks to secure a major U.S. broadcast rights deal.

The bid to add the team was submitted by the City of San Jose and Sharks Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NHL's San Jose Sharks. The team will share facilities with the Sharks, playing at SAP Center, which is nicknamed "The Shark Tank," and training at Sharks Ice at San Jose.

All 12 teams in the league, including the expansion teams, are owned and operated by The Walter Group. Billionaire Mark Walter is also the majority owner of the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.

“Between a deeply rooted hockey culture, rapidly booming women’s sports scene, and a community known for growth and innovation, San Jose offers a dynamic stage for the PWHL to expand its reach and build lasting momentum,” Amy Scheer, the PWHL's executive vice president of business operations, said in a statement.

PWHL San Jose adds another presence on the Pacific coast, where the league already has teams in Vancouver and Seattle. Las Vegas is also in the Pacific time zone, which should help with travel and game scheduling.

It also creates the possibility of two separate conferences, something The Associated Press has reported the league is considering for next season.

The PWHL has never played a game in California, but is confident that it will support women's hockey.

California ranks sixth in the country in girls' hockey participation, behind five states with colder climates, according to the PWHL.