Where do the New York Islanders really intend to play their home games?
Is Barclays Center really the longterm home of the New York Islanders, as co-owner Jon Ledecky suggests?
New Isles owner Jon Ledecky, asked if he sees team staying long-term in Brooklyn: "Yes, I do…Barclays is our home."
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) July 13, 2016
Ledecky, in a meet-and-greet luncheon with the media and other guests, promised that the new ownership is committed to making it work in Brooklyn. However, two recent reports seem to suggest otherwise.
Bloomberg Sports writer Scott Soshnick reported Thursday that the team has been in talks with Jeff and Fred Wilpon, owners of the New York Mets, about building a stadium adjacent to Citi Field in Queens.
“Willets Point is emerging as a persuasive alternative to the team’s current home at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center if the Islanders’s owners and arena officials can’t agree on a series of hockey-specific improvements, said the people, who asked for anonymity because the negotiations are private,” Soshnick penned.
RELATED: Isles Considering Move To Queens (Report)
Newsday writers Robert Brodsky and Jim Baumbach reported Friday that the team has also spoken to state officials about building a hockey arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, a 15-minute drive to Nassau Coliseum, the old Isles stadium.
“NYRA is courting the Islanders,” one source told Robert Brodsky and Jim Baumbach of Newsday. “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the Islanders back home.”
While it’s far too early to get excited over these murmurs, it’s intriguing that the new ownership is “weighing multiple options.”
Islanders want their own home, a better one, closer to roots. Good on new owners for exploring. https://t.co/fkM5HagKPQ
— Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL) July 22, 2016
Just a week ago, the Isles were seemingly content will their current home. Now, it’s questionable what their intentions really are.
