New York Islanders Barclays Center Stay Extended By One Year

If you’re following the New York Islanders arena saga there’s a new development. According to reports, it seems that the Islanders will stay in Brooklyn for at least another year.

“But I thought the New York Islanders were going to Belmont and that the Barclays Center doesn’t want them?” Stop that’s silly. We all know that an arena can’t be built in a day. Let alone a single year. Especially when the State of New York is the deciding factor.

“And what of the return to Nassau? That’s still a thing?” No. Again. Stop. Nassau was never a thing. The preseason game at the Coliseum was Yormark and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment trying to keep a million dollars from going to the county.

The New York Islanders have a singular focus when it comes to the arena and it’s Belmont.

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Not Built In A Day

According to Newsday’s Jim Baumbach, New York Islanders majority co-owner John Ledecky states that the Isles will stay in Brooklyn at least another year.

Which makes sense. The Isles don’t need to leave Brooklyn yet. Yes. Nassau would gladly take them in. But you’re talking about an arena not made for NHL hockey to an arena that can’t support NHL hockey. To eventually move out to a new better arena a few years later.

Why move the team three times in the span of a few years? From a purely business standpoint, it makes no sense.

But in all this let’s not act like this is new information. It’s not just that we’ve been saying the Isles will stay in Brooklyn in the short term and them, once Belmont is done (assuming that’s a go) they’ll move there.

But Ledecky’s been saying that for a while too. Just not in so direct language. Just last August Ledecky said the following regarding the upcoming 2016-17 season and the New York Islanders relationship with the Barclays Center.

"“And even if one was to surmise that a new arena was being planned, that would take a long time in the New York market,” continued Ledecky. “So I think what we’re focused on is improving the fan experience, improving transportation to and from the games to the fans that remained loyal from the Long Island market, and making fans in the New York City metro area understand that we have a great team, and making sure that the experience inside Barclays is an A+ experience, both for the fans and for the players.”"

It’s great to see ownership absolutely backing the bid for Belmont. It’s the Islanders best chance for a proper NHL caliber arena. Although I guess they have to be all in. Where else are the Islanders going to go?

Next: Three Roster Builds That Could Work For Isles

Now we just have to wait and see how long it takes the state to decide who won the RFP process for Belmont. Fingers crossed. Because I’m not sure there’s a backup plan.