The Sharks' Ice Team has "drawn the most attention and social media discourse" this offseason, but COO John Tortora is "diplomatic and cautious in discussing the topic," according to Mark Purdy of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Tortora said, "Our first priority is finding people who can skate and do a good job of cleaning the ice. We also want people who can represent the team in the community. We've had around 130 applicants so far, probably split 50-50 between males and females." Tortora also said pictures of the Ice Team released by the Sharks are "not the final uniforms." He added that the front office "hasn't decided" what the uniforms ultimately will look like. Purdy wrote his stance on the "ice girls" is that they are "pleasant enough to look at, but unnecessary and superfluous and definitely not the reason you go to the supermarket." Nevertheless, if an "issue is an issue with paying customers, then it's an issue." But in "fairness, the Warriors and both Bay Area NFL teams all employ far more scantily clad cheerleaders or dance teams" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/16).
