Sports History in San Jose
San Jose has cultivated a passionate local sports culture, with diverse and energetic fan bases. The city has supported the NHL’s San Jose Sharks since the organization’s inception in 1991, as well as professional soccer with the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS and Bay FC in the NWSL. Minor league baseball teams, indoor football, lacrosse, and a list of prominent athletes to emerge from San Jose State University have also stemmed from our local communities. Moreover, aside from the play on the field, San Jose boasts two of the greatest competitive eaters of all-time.
We’ve spotlighted some of the city’s amazing athletic milestones and famous athletes who have made the region into an area of athletic prowess.
San Jose, aka Speed City
San Jose State University’s track and field team in the 1960’s was an NCAA national powerhouse known for producing world-class athletes under former head coach Bud Winter.
Among the program’s most iconic figures were John Carlos and Tommy Smith, who made their mark not only on the track, but also in the fight for civil rights. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, after winning medals in the 200-meter race, Smith and Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony, protesting racial injustice and inequality in the United States during the 60’s. This bold act of resistance became one of the most powerful symbols of the civil rights movement, cementing their legacy as athletes who used their platform to stand up for justice. The duo has a large statue on campus at San Jose State to honor their courageous fight for equality.
Major Events
San Jose has hosted several major sporting events in the past three decades, showcasing its status as a vibrant sports hub in the Bay Area. The region has welcomed NCAA March Madness, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the Pac-10 Women’s Basketball Tournament, the College Football National Championships, Super Bowl 50, the NHL All-Star Game, the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic and even automobile racing in the former San Jose Grand Prix. These events have brought national attention to San Jose while energizing its passionate local sports community.
Pro Teams
San Jose is home to the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, a beloved franchise that has energized fans in the Bay Area since 1991. The city also hosts the San Jose Earthquakes, a founding member of Major League Soccer, playing at PayPal Park, as well as the NWSL’s Bay FC.
The "Shark Tank" at SAP Center (Photo Credit: 111th Aerial Photography Squadron)
San Jose has also housed many minor league baseball teams including the Bees, Missions and Expos. Currently, the San Jose Giants minor league team will give you an inside look at the next all-star players headed to the big-league San Francisco Giants. Notable San Jose Giants alum include Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey and Tim Lincecum.
San Jose Giants Excite Ballpark (Photo credit: Tim Cattera)
Other pro teams who have played in San Jose include the San Jose Lasers (women’s basketball), the San Jose Jammers (minor league basketball), the San Jose SaberCats (indoor football) and the San Jose Stealth (indoor lacrosse).
Famous Olympians
San Jose has a rich Olympic legacy, producing a diverse array of world-class athletes who have represented the United States on the biggest global stages. Listed below is the list of Olympians who hail from San Jose.
- John Carlos and Tommy Smith: Famous USA track and field sprinters who took home medals at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Smith won gold while Carlos received a bronze medal.
- Kristi Yamaguchi: Gold medal-winning figure skater at the 1992 Winter Olympics and San Jose native.
- Kerri Walsh-Jennings: Three-time Olympic gold medal winner in beach volleyball who attended high school in San Jose at Archbishop Mitty.
- Brandi Chastain: San Jose native, World Cup soccer player and Olympian, who scored an iconic game-winning penalty kick in the 1999 Women’s World Cup, which set the stage for USA women’s soccer success in future years. Chastain is now the owner of Bay FC, the newest professional women’s soccer team in the NWSL who play at PayPal Park in San Jose.
- Taylor Averiall: 2024 bronze medalist in the Paris Olympics with USA Men’s Volleyball.
- Jenna Flynn: Women’s water polo player on the 2024 USA Olympic team.
- Annie and Kerry Xu: Sisters from San Jose who represented Team USA table tennis in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Nikhil Kumar: Table tennis player who competed for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics.
- Naomi Girma: A soccer player for the USA Women's National Team who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
San Jose To the NBA
Aaron Gordon is a San Jose native who attended Archbishop Mitty High School. He is currently one of the NBA’s high flyers and best dunkers in the league. He has competed in the Slam Dunk Contest twice, finishing as runner-up both times. He is also an NBA champion, helping the Denver Nuggets win their first title in 2023.
Lloyd Pierce was raised in east San Jose and attended Yerba Buena High School before continuing his playing career at Santa Clara University, where he played with future NBA MVP Steve Nash. After finishing his playing career, Pierce rose through coaching ranks to lead teams at the professional level. He is currently an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers, where he helped lead the team to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Famous San Jose Competitive Eaters
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who resides in San Jose and attended San Jose State University, is currently the #1 competitive eater in the world, according to Major League Eating. He holds 55 World records across 55 disciplines, and has the world record for hot dogs eaten, chowing down 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. He is currently the greatest competitive eater of all-time.
Matt Stonie was the winner of the 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, when he ate 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes to defeat fellow San Jose local Joey Chestnut. Stonie is a San Jose native and currently runs his own YouTube channel, where he has 16.4 million followers and counting.
