Art Savage, born July 3, 1951, in Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...

, was the president and CEO

Chief executive officer

A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...

 of the San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...

 from 1990–1997, and the majority owner of the Sacramento Rivercats from 1999 until his death in 2009. Art had acquired the Rivercats when they were still the Vancouver Canadians

Vancouver Canadians

The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...

, moving them to Sacramento, California

Sacramento, California

Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...

shortly later.

Art died of lung cancer November 21, 2009. His son, Jeff, said that he and his family would retain control of the team.

Personal

Art's son Brent was rescued from a swimming pool accident when he was a child, which left him permanently unable to walk or physically function properly. He has since used a wheelchair. It also left Brent unable to speak, forcing him to use a communicator.