PWHL Unveils San Jose Sea Lions Name and Logo Ahead of Season 4 Expansion

PWHL Expansion Includes San Jose Sea Lions

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has officially introduced the names and logos for its four newest expansion teams, marking a significant step as the league prepares for its upcoming Season 4. The new franchises include the San Jose Sea Lions, Detroit Clutch, Vegas Vanguards, and Hamilton Havoc. This expansion brings the total number of PWHL teams from eight to twelve since the league's inception on January 1, 2024.

San Jose Sea Lions: Name and Logo Unveiled

The San Jose Sea Lions' branding draws on the marine mammals commonly seen in Bay Area waters. The team's circular logo features a stylized sea lion's head and torso emerging from ocean waves, colored in blue and sunset orange. The PWHL confirmed that the Sea Lions' name also honors the West Coast Negro Baseball Association’s 1946 San Francisco Sea Lions, who notably included Toni Stone, the first woman to play regularly in a major men’s professional league.

Vision Behind the Branding

San Jose Sea Lions defender Rory Guilday commented in a news release, "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. 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."

Jersey and Merchandise Updates

While merchandise featuring the new logos and nicknames is already available for purchase, these branding elements will not appear on the expansion teams' jerseys until the following season. Due to ordering schedules, this season’s jerseys will instead display the city names across the front. Official jerseys with the new designs are set for release in the next PWHL season.

San Jose Sea Lions' Debut and Home Opener

The Sea Lions will hold their home games at the SAP Center. Their inaugural match—and first home game—is scheduled for December 5, where they will face the Minnesota Frost as part of the league's opening weekend on December 5-6, 2026. This marks a new chapter for professional women's hockey in San Jose, welcoming both new fans and expanding the league's reach.

Expansion Teams Transform the League

The inclusion of San Jose, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton as expansion teams represents a doubling of PWHL’s lineup since its launch, signaling ongoing growth and increased visibility for professional women's hockey.

Source: kron4.com.